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Mountain vacations are loved by most of us, but not all mountains are ‘storybook perfect’. Here is a list of 21 such mountains around the world that are unique in one way or the other, some indeed unbelievable, others magical or otherworldly. But one thing is common to all of them, each one deserves a visit at least once in the lifetime of every traveller. 1. Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines Can you imagine being in a forest of numerous chocolate mounds? Yes, the Chocolate Hills offers you such an incredible experience. They are located in the Bohol Province of Philippines and there are about 1,268 such hills spread across 50 sq km of land. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these are popular tourist attractions. They are conical shaped with a height of 30-50 meters and evenly covered with green grass. These grasses, when dried up, turn chocolaty brown in color. Therefore, tourists visit usually when the grasses dry up, rather than seeing it all green, which is not in harmony with its name. It is believed that these hills were formed ages ago, with mixed actions of coral deposition, dissolution of limestone by rainfall, works of ground water, surface water and erosion. There are several caves and springs in them and are divided by well-developed flat plains. Despite the many fairytale legends describing their origin, the actual reason of formation of these hills remains a mystery to the geologists till date. They look so alike each other that it is very difficult to believe that these hills are actually not manmade. Apart from being uniform in shape, they also have almost same heights. 2. Magnetic Hill, Ladakh, India The super astonishing Magnetic Hill is situated near Leh in Ladakh at an altitude of 11,000 ft. Tourists crowd this place every now and then to witness the magic of nature. This hill is said to have magnetic power to pull cars up the hill without any engine-power. The hill is sometimes also termed as Gravity Hill or Mystery Hill and is indeed one of nature’s mysteries and the natives have a number of stories to tell about the magical magnetic power or spiritual power behind it. However, study suggests that this hill has no magnetic disturbance at all. It is simply the Optical Illusion Effect, the Illusion similar to that of Ames room. Objects on a perpendicular plane seem leaning upwards may actually be downward sloping creating a visual illusion. Upon the hill, there is a mystery spot where the outline of the adjoining land creates an optical illusion of an uphill slope which actually is a downhill slope. This mysterious route is known as the gravity road. Hence, the cars seem to roll up which actually is rolling down from the mystery spot through the gravity road simply due to gravity. Located on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar national highway, this place is popular with tourists. 3. Pancake Rocks, New Zealand The Pancake Rocks are one of the greatest forms of nature’s art one could ever imagine. Huge piles of pancakes lying on the Earth’s plates and walking on those could surely be an adventurous journey. Hence, thousands of visitors flock this place to experience yet another mysterious creation of nature. These are actually eroded limestone structures that layer the sea surface and present the look of pancakes. Situated in the West Coast of South Island in New Zealand, on the rim of the west edge of the Paparoa National Park, these giant pancakes of nature took a long time in formation, an estimated period of 30 million years. Interestingly, the unique rocks have numerous huge blowholes in them and during high tides it is a thrilling experience to watch the tides break through the holes. Hundreds of natural sculptures are formed by the work of enormous forces of wind, waves and rain. There are several hundreds of huge stacks of pancake formations lying on the coast ready to be feasted on, albeit, with eyes. Currently, this place is a major tourist attraction and has many twisting paths around the rock formations and staircase like ways, yet to be explored. 4. Five Finger Mountain, Azerbaijan The Five Finger Mountain or the Besh Barmag in Azerbaijan is a legendary tourist place. The view of a rock, mounted with five tall peaks almost resembling a human’s five fingers spouting out, is indeed a wonder. Driving on the Baku - Quba Highway, a traveller’s eyes would definitely get struck with the marvellous view of this nature’s 1,253ft gift. It is situated in Khizi Rayon and near distant to the Caspian Sea. The mountain is ages old, as estimated with the water marks that are found on its body. These tidal marks which tourists flock to view are from the Ice Age. This mountain is a popular pilgrim’s attraction and has many religious sagas woven around it. The fingers were, according to sagas, of a local boy called Sum, a Jew, who died while fighting a monster. There is also a tank right at the foothill of this mountain, a popular one as it was believed to be filled with tears of the lover of Sum. Among several other stories, it is believed that the Prophet had received the sacred 10 commandments on this mountain. Hundreds of tourists gather to witness this holy wonder and unique five-finger-like rock headed mountain. 5. Rainbow Mountain, China Forming a part of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park of Gansu Province in China, these multicoloured mountain peaks look more like an artist’s canvas, full of bright colours. These otherworldly mountains are often revered to as the most colourful mountains in the world. The mountains were formed millions of years ago by layers of sandstone and mineral deposits. The geological park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. 6. Sugarloaf Mountain, Brazil The famous Sugarloaf Mountain at Rio de Janeiro stands 1,299 ft above the sea level. Lying at the mouth of Guanabara Bay of Atlantic Ocean, this mountain is a very popular tourist destination. The shape of the mountain is in semblance to a concentrated sugarloaf, hence the name follows. It is also known as Pao de Acucar which means ‘a sugarloaf’ in Portuguese. From the Sugarloaf, one can experience the mesmerizing view of sunset in the ocean with the view of the entire city with startling night lights making this a romantic affair. It is not just the sunset or the drink or the food here that attracts millions of tourists every year, but also the glass-walled cable car going atop the mountain which is a great attraction. This cable car was built way back in 1912, though rebuilt couple of times afterwards, a ride on it remains memorable for anyone who takes it. It ascends the mountain fall of 1400 meters and gives an excellent view of the ocean touching the bay and the Rio city. The cable car leaves from the ground at Babilona Hill and goes to Urca Hill, another beautiful peak, and then finally to the Sugarloaf once every 20 minutes. 7. Superstition Mountains, Arizona, USA For those who believe in fairy tales, the Superstitions Mountains of Arizona is their ultimate destination. This is a range of mountains in the east of Phoenix in Arizona. It is a major amusement place for the natives of Phoenix metropolitan area. This range falls in the officially elected Superstitions Wilderness Area. There are multiple natural features embedded in this area to make it a leisurely place for visitors. Especially this place can be real delight for those who love trekking. Fairy-tale landmarks make it more romantic and interesting. Every spot has its own significance and treasure to be explored. The spots have strange names like Weaver’s Needle, Miner’s Needle, Peralta Canyon, Freemont Saddle and so on and they attract thousands of visitors. Rock climbing, trekking and hiking are the major events that people seek in here. Revolving around the folklore of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mines, every landmark is designated in connection with a sequence in the story. Mainly with a desert climate, this area has very less sources of water, and the temperatures rise high during summer. Interestingly, this mountain was once known as Sierra de la Espuma which means ‘mountain of foam’ in Spanish. 8. Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa The Table Mountain is located close to Cape Town in South Africa. It is a natural wonder and a major tourist attraction in the country. This flat-top mountain was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in November 2011. It forms a part of Table Mountain National Park and is featured in the National Flag of Cape Town. The Table Mountain is one the oldest formations of Earth, six times older than the Himalayas and five times as old as the Rockies. The process of formation is believed to have taken over 300 million years. The cliff of this mountain is very steep around the summit and hiking of different difficulty levels is a popular sport here. There are various pathways on the side of the mountain and is therefore a sought after trekking destination for many adventure seekers around the world. The Platteklip Gorge route is the most popular with tourists and making it to the top through this route is quite an achievement as it is an extremely steep climb. Also, a major crowd pulling attraction of this flat-top mountain is the cable car ride, which gives a breathtaking aerial view of the beautiful Cape Town City and further into the Atlantic Ocean. 9. Valley of the Ten Peaks, Canada This unique valley in the Banff National Park of Canada is one of nature’s glorious beauties. Anybody can get lost in nature’s paradise by counting truly what nature offers in this valley. The Moraine Lake in the centre is crowned by ten beautiful mountain peaks giving it a picturesque view. The ten notable peaks were originally named by numbering them from one to ten in the Stoney First Nations Language by an early explorer named Samuel Allen. Gradually, the mountains were renamed. The valley of the ten peaks is almost secluded but is nonetheless a popular tourist spot. The Moraine is a glacially fed lake. It is half square kilometer in area and lies 6,183 ft above the sea level. When the glaciers melt down and fill the lake almost to its brim, the reflection of the ten peaks on the lake makes this a panoramic affair. The color of the lake is blue, which is due to refraction of light off the rock floor sediments. The Canada Parks authority provides various trail conditions which are timely varied with different restrictions. The valley has several hiking and trailing options for the adventurers, however, many a times restricted due to grizzly bear threats. 10. Mount Roraima, South America Mount Roraima which is also known as Mon­te Roraima in Portuguese and Cerro Roraima in Spanish is a giant flat topped mountain in the Pakaraima Range of Mountains in the Guiana Highlands The Pakaraima moun­tains are a chain of tepui plateaus in South America. The giant flat topped mountain is a magnificent sight to behold, but that’s not the only reason why it is significant. It has another unique claim to fame and that’s pre­cisely why the mountain has found place in this issue of Touriosity. Mount Roraima is about 14 miles long, 9,094 feet high and 31 square kilometre in area, making it quite a gigantic structure. It is bounded on all sides by cliffs that rise about 1,300 feet tall. There are many waterfalls that originate from here thus making it the source of many rivers in South America in­cluding that of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. In addition, it is the highest point in Guyana, while Brazil and Ven­ezuela have higher mountains. Part of the mountain falls in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela. Mount Roraima is also significant because it is at the foot of this giant mountain that the three South American countries of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana meet, thus making it an important tri-point international bor­der. 85% of its territory comprises of the Venezuelan border, 10% of the territory comprises of the border of Guyana and only 5% of it falls along the Brazilian border. The mountain has very unique flora and fau­na. It has also held a significant role in the culture and local legends. Some indigenous people consider the mountain to be the stump of an ancient giant tree (it quite looks so) that bore all the fruits and vegetables of the world. Mount Roraima presents unparalleled beauty that is unique in every sense. The tabletop mountain structure is regarded by scientists as one of the oldest geological formations of the earth dating back to around two billion years. 11. Moose’s Tooth Mountain, Alaska, USA For those who love challenging treks, the Moose Tooth Mountain offers several trails of various difficulty levels. The Moose’s Tooth is a rock peak in the East of Ruth Gorge in Central Alaska Range. It is a famous mountain peak among the mountaineers. It has a low elevation as compared to some of the major peaks in Alaska. Nevertheless, it is not very easy to climb. The other mountains in the complex also have rather interesting names like ‘Eye Tooth’, ‘Sugar Tooth’ and ‘Broken Tooth’. What makes it all the more interesting is that the shapes of these peaks have a vague resemblance to their names. The climb from west ridge to the east ridge is difficult but, normally is reached by the south western side of the peak. The Moose’s Tooth was first climbed by four Germans, through the Northwest Ridge in 1964. In the July of 1975 three climbers, Jon Krakauer, Thomas Davies and Nate Zinsser discovered a relatively convenient route to the main peak, through couloirs on the south face. They named the route as ‘Ham and Eggs Route’ which is the most popular route on the mountain till date. 12. Ore Mountains, Germany The Ore Mountains in Central Europe forms a border between Saxony and Bohemia. This is indeed a must visit place for those who want to acquire an idea about Earth’s abundance of mineral-treasure. This mountain has grown over time, from the ancient age to the modern and has witnessed several human strategies to mining, exploration and industrialization. The border between Germany and the Czech Republic is to the north of this mountain. Tourists flock here in quite large numbers. The beauty of the mountain lies in its natural ores. Also the unique Bohemian Forest which was discovered in the 12th century is a great tourist attraction. These mountains are one of the most geologically researched into mountains in the world. Following the discovery of large number of ore mines, this place has acquired top interest with geologists. The formation has taken a long time and has gone through the process of dissection, by which the entire range has been added up with river valleys and also a strange steep towards Bohemia which is steeper than the German border. There are various protected nature reserves and natural monuments in these mountains. 13. Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet is located in the east of Jerusalem’s Old city. It used to be covered with olive groves once, hence the name. This mountain holds a lot of importance for Christians, Jews and Muslims alike. It is believed that Jesus Christ gave a final prophecy here. It has been also referred in the New Testament as the route to Jerusalem and it was here that Jesus stood and wept over Jerusalem. This unique mountain is visited by thousands every year not for its unusual beauty or religious significance but also for seeing the graves of many historically significant personalities. The mountain has also been used as a Jewish cemetery for long and has about 150,000 graves in it including those of many significant Jewish personalities. There are also several man-made burial caves. On the upper slope, the tombs of Prophets are situated, while down under various soldiers and notable officials are also buried. Apart from the graves there are more to see in this mountain, like the Church of all Nations, Tomb of Zechariah, Mary’s Tomb, Seven Arches Hotel, Emek Tzurim National Park and Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation among others. 14. Black Hills, South Dakota, USA An aftermath of a volcanic eruption can never be imagined to be so stunning. Burnt trees, burnt rocks, resulting in a unique hill and a popular tourist spot are the Black Hills in the USA. These are a series of hills ranging from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota to Wyoming, USA. They appear gorgeous in black, and create several interesting options to explore in its cradle. There are quite a few tourist spots in the hills. The historic town of Deadwood is situated here. The largest monument in the world, the Crazy Horse memorial, also stands here. There are National parks, beautiful enormous peaks, coal mines, gold mines, specialty mineral ore mines and dense forests. The Ponderosa Pine Forest is located close by. Tourism is currently a flourishing industry, and many people reside here to explore the complex and unusual vegetation on the hills. The main tourism towns are Deadwood, Hill City and Custer. Several cultural events like motorcar or bike rallies are held here from time to time. Biking on the hills is a true pleasure. The scenic beauty of the hills has now indeed made it a tourist paradise. 15. Zhangjiajie Pillars, China There are as many as 3,000 pillars of karsts, that look like unique pillar mountains, at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Zhangjiajie National Park. The park consists of quartz-sandstone peaks that were formed during Middle and Upper Devonian period. Erosion and weathering has resulted in the unique pillar-like shape of the mountains. The highest pillar here was the inspiration behind the Hallelujah Mountain in the Hollywood movie of Avatar, and had accordingly been named Hallelujah Mountain thereafter. 16. Rainbow Mountain, Peru This mountain, thanks to the immense popularity on social media of late, is on its way to become the second most visited tourist attraction in the country of Peru after Machu Picchu. Variously known as Vinicunca, Winikunka, Montaña de Siete Colores and Montaña de Colores, this unique mountain is an easy day-trip from Cusco. The mountain is covered by shades of red, yellow, orange and blue, giving it the popular name of Rainbow Mountain. Until very recently though, the existence of this unique mountain was not known as the mountain was always covered by Andean Snow. But due to climate change, the snow started melting about 5 years back revealing its beautiful colours. While the phenomenon was actually alarming and environment concerns should have taken over, instead it drew attention of the tourists who started flocking here for photo ops. The beautiful striping of colours here is mainly due to mineral deposits and weathering. To reach here one must drive or take a bus from Cuzco and then trek for 7 km roundtrip. 17. Unique mountains of Moorea Moorea is an island of volcanic origin that is dotted with mountains of unique sizes and shapes. It is located in the archipelago of Society Islands in French Polynesia, 17 km from Tahiti. The mountainous landscape presents a very unique picture of the island. The highest mountain in the island is Mount Tohiea (1,207m), followed by Mount Rotui (899m), Mount Mouaroa with the evocative shape (880m), Mount Mouaputa (830m) that has a hole on the top, Mount Tearai (770m) and Mount Tautuapae (769m). All these mountains resulted from a volcanic eruption of a larger mountain here which made parts of the original mountain get scattered on the sea. Today it presents a unique landscape. 18. Brown Bluff, Antarctica It is a unique volcano mountain in Antarctica with a flat top. Being situated on a beach that is frequented by Adélie and Gentoo penguins for breeding, this mountain becomes all the more important and favourite with tourists. 19. Kirkjufell Mountain, Iceland This mountain is one of the most photographed places in Iceland. It is a uniquely conical mountain in Iceland that is often referred to as the Church Mountain. Due to its sheer beauty, it even made to one of the episodes of Game of Thrones. In the vicinity of the mountain are beautiful beaches and the famous Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfalls making the trek to the mountain all the more rewarding. The one and half hour trek to the top of the mountain can be very challenging, but those bravehearts who make it up there, are often rewarded with the view of breathtaking dancing northern lights, especially in autumn or winter. 20. Preikestolen, Norway Not technically a mountain, this is a flat rocky cliff top overlooking the abyss rises to an altitude of 604m. To maintain the natural look of the place, no fences have been placed here, consequently this may become a little dangerous. However, the place is frequented by tourists all year round. 21. Trolltunga, Odda, Norway It is a rocky cliff that juts precariously out of a mountain horizontally (like a tongue, and hence the name) over the Ringedalsvatnet Lake in Odda in Hordaland County of Norway, 84 km from Bergen. While the altitude of the cliff is 1,100m in total, it hangs at a height of 700m from the lake. This is one of the best places for hikers and trekkers.

For an ardent lover of nature, it is difficult to ignore the majestic UNESCO designated World Heritage site of Western Ghats in India. If one makes a trip to this glorious region once, the innumerable and varied attractions of the imposing mountains are sure to beckon him again and again. The landscapes, full of lush greenery, are absolutely marvellous, and create the perfect picture post card settings. Adding to the sublime beauty of the region are the numerous waterfalls which are literally a treat for sore eyes. Words alone may not be sufficient to describe the charming waterfalls dotting the landscapes. Only a firsthand experience will help the reader to soak in their enchantment and allurement. The 1600 km long Western Ghats, a group of hills running parallel to the western coast of India, is also one of the world’s ten ‘hottest biodiversity hotspots’. It is extremely rich in flora and fauna and is home to innumerable species of flowering plants, mammals, birds and amphibians. The range commences from Gujarat’s border with Maharashtra, and runs right through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, before ending at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. For the travellers, these mountain ranges provide an array of trekking prospects and opportunities to explore wildlife. The not so adventurous can simply hang out in the cooler climes of the innumerable pretty locations dotting the region. The major hill ranges of the Western Ghats are known as the Sahyadhris, Nilgiris and Anaimalai Hills. The Ghats are home to some stunningly beautiful and magnificent hill stations amidst serene natural surroundings. Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal (all in Tamil Nadu) are the more popular ones. Here is a list of five of the lesser known, yet pleasant hill locations in these mountain ranges. KUDREMUKH Kudremukh is a small town located at the Chikmagalur District in Karnataka. In local parlance, ‘Kudremukh’ means ‘horse-faced’, and this refers to the extravagantly beautiful and picturesque view of the side of a mountain that looks like the face of a horse. With its rolling grasslands and thick dense forests, the place is also well known for bio-diversity conservation and is identified as one of the twenty five hot spots in the world. To reach Kudremukh one can board private or state operated buses from the nearby Kalasa town. A visitor to Kudremukh should not miss out on an opportunity to visit the Kudremukh peak, situated at an altitude of approximately 6214 feet above sea level. The views one will be treated to from top of the peak are spectacular. Particularly, that of the Arabian Sea is mesmerizing. The location is also ideal for the adventure-minded who are on the lookout for trekking opportunities and exploring the forests. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, the lion-tailed macaques can be easily spotted near the Kudremukh Peak. In this tiny hill station, another major attraction is the Kudremukh National Park. It is home to animals like sambar, lion-tailed macaque, wild pig, tigers, wild dogs and leopards. To reach the park, one can take local buses, autos or rickshaw. However, in order to explore the entire national park, tourists need prior permission from the authorities. Accommodation: There are plenty of forest lodges and guest houses to take care of your accommodation needs. One may also check out the set of five guest houses and resorts run by the various wings of Karnataka Forest Department. The guest houses offers accommodation in permanent structures as well as in tents. For those who would like to splurge, the Silent Valley Resort with cottages amidst picturesque locales is the best option. Double occupancy cottage rates start from Rs. 4000. (Ph. No. +91-824-2211672). The budget options are Hotel Chandan and Seethanadi Nature Camp. The latter has two options available, dormitory accomodating upto 14 people where per person charges comes up to Rs. 300 and tents sleeping two persons costing Rs. 1500 (both rate includes the entry fees for the National Park) Contact No. 09480807650 Major distances: Kalasa – 22 kms, Chikmagalur – 25 kms, Bangalore – 340 kms. MALSHEJ GHAT This quaint little town is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range in Pune district. It lies nestled between the lofty rugged hills of the ghats. Being here, one realizes how being away from the scorching sun and oppressive heat of the plains can have an invigorating effect on the senses. The refreshingly cool weather and splendid beauty of nature at Malshej Ghat will inevitably captivate any visitor. The charming little town is an ideal summer retreat of a different kind. The place is rich in flora and fauna. Bird lovers, especially, will be delighted to have close encounters with a large variety of the winged species such as quails, rails, crakes, flamingos and cuckoos. Malshej Ghat is also renowned for the large number of migratory birds which fly into the region between the months of July and September. Visitors at this time of the year should also not miss out on the mating dance of the pink-legged flamingos which indeed is a spectacular sight. Accommodation: Malshej Ghat can conveniently make a day-trip from Mumbai or Pune but for those who would love to relax, staying is recommended. There are budget hotels in Malshej Ghat to accommodate those who look for budget options. There are star rated hotels too that provide the ultimate in style and opulence. Since the area is at a considerable distance from a small town, there are not many posh restaurants and shopping malls. The Flamingo Hill, a resort run by MTDC – Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is in the vicinity. (Contact no. +91-22-22024482) Other than the MTDC resort, there are other private resorts like the Ranvara Residency located by the picturesque backwaters of Pimpalgaon Joga Dam which are also good stay options. Accommodation is also available in a nearby village called Madh, 6 km away from Malshej ghat. Major distances: Mumbai – 160 kms, Pune 130 kms SAKLESHPUR Sakleshpur is a small pleasant hill station nestled amidst serene surroundings of the Western Ghats. Located at an altitude of approximately 3114 feet above sea level, Sakleshpur is an ideal, rejuvenating getaway for jaded city travellers. Located near the Bangalore – Mysore highway, the hill station is easily accessible. Sakleshpur is also well known as a major producer of coffee and cardamom in India. Nowadays, Sakleshpur is turning out to be a popular destination for trekking enthusiasts. The Bisle Forest Reserve trek as well as the Kumara Parvatha trek is worth undertaking. Those who are not hardcore trekkers should not worry; taking long and leasurely walks around the town can also be quiet rewarding. Accommodation: In and around Sakleshpur there are quite a few resorts and homestay options to cater to all the different categories of tourists. Some of these resorts are cuddled amidst absolutely serene natural surroundings. Some of the homestay options are Prakritik Homestay, Swastha Homestay, Nyrit Villa Homestay and Megha Homestay. The discerning tourist can also check out The Hills resort (+91-9535511771). At this luxurious resort, travelers can allow their tired mind and bodies to recuperate and rejuvenate amidst the lush green mountainous surroundings of the resort. Hotel Ashrita is a mid budget option (+91-8173-243050 / 243412) Major distances: Mysore – 155 kms, Bangalore – 223 kms. ROTTI-KALLU This place is located just 24 km from Sakleshpur at an altitude of 3700 feet above sea level. The natural surroundings at Rotti-Kallu are absolutely heavenly. Accommodation: There is a homestay option at Rotti Kallu by the same name as the hill station. The resort, spread over 20 acres, amidst beautifully decorated landscapes, is equipped to cater to all the varied needs of travellers. Major distances: Sakleshpur – 24 kms, Mysore – 183 kms, Bangalore – 250 kms KEMMANAGUNDI This charming hill station is situated about 250 km from Bangalore at an altitude of approximately 4700 ft above sea level. Popularly known as the KR Hill Station, this quaint place was the summer retreat of Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. A visitor to Kemmanagundi can expect to be completely enthralled by the spectacular views of the valleys. Gushing waterfalls and mountain streams amidst the coffee estates combine to add to the picture perfect serenity of the place. There are innumerable things to see and do while at Kemmanagundi. The Karnataka Horticulture Department maintains a guest house right on top of a hill. The department also maintains a rock garden and a rose garden on top of Kemmanagundi. From the guest house, a narrow trek route leads to the Z point with awesome views of the valley. Shanti falls is also on the trek route to Z point. Accommodation: There are homestay options at affordable rates here. The only private hotel is the Kemmanagundi Hotel (+91-8261258148, +91-8261258259). The hotel charges on per-person per-day basis. For single person, the per-day the rate is Rs 1750 and for two days it is Rs 3300 (food and lodging inclusive). The location is ideal to unwind and rejuvenate the mind of many a stressed-out urban dweller. Major distances: Sakleshpur – 71 kms, Mysore – 171 kms, Bangalore – 252 kms The best time to visit the Western Ghats: The best time to visit the ghats is during the monsoon season when the entire region is washed by the rains.

The following is Touriosity’s compilation of the 125 most important towers of the world. The list comes with the name of the tower, height, year of construction, location and the claim to fame of each tower. 1. Eiffel Tower (Height: 324 m; Year: 1889; Place: Paris, France; Famous for: First to surpass 300 meters, tallest tower in the world 1889-1958) 2. CN Tower (Height: 553.33 m; Year: 1976; Place: Toronto, Canada; Famous for: Tallest structure in the world 2009-11) 3. The Seattle Space Needle (Height: 142 m; Year: 1962; Place: Seattle, United States; Famous for: Observation Tower, can withstand earthquakes of upto 9.0 magnitude) 4. Empire State Building (Height: 443.2 m; Year: 1931; Place: Man­hattan, New York, United States; Famous for: World’s Tallest Building for 40 years) 5. One World Trade Center (Height: 541 m; Year: 2013; Place: Manhattan, New York, United States; Famous for: Tallest building in the United States) 6. Stratosphere Las Vegas (Height: 350.2 m; Year: 1996; Place: Las Vegas, United States; Famous for: Tallest observation tower in the United States) 7. Willis Tower (Sears Tower) (Height: 442.1 m; Year: 1973; Place: Chicago, USA; Famous for: Tallest building in the world for 25 years) 8. Berliner Fernsehturm (Height: 368 m; Year: 1969; Place: Berlin, Germany; Famous for: Tallest structure in Germany) 9. Burj Khalifa (Height: 829.8 m; Year: 2010; Place: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Famous for: Tallest structure and building in the world currently) 10. Petronas Towers (Height: 451.9 m; Year: 1996; Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Famous for: Tallest twin towers in the world) 11. The Shard (Height: 309.7 m; Year: 2012; Place: London, United Kingdom; Tallest building in the United Kingdom) 12. Tokyo Skytree (Height: 634 m; Year: 2012; Place: Tokyo, Japan; Famous for: Became tallest tower in 2011, second tallest free standing structure in the world) 13. Ostankino Tower (Height: 540.1 m; Year: 1967; Place: Moscow, Russia; Famous for: Tallest freestanding structure in the world 1975-2007, tallest in the western hemisphere) 14. John Hancock Center (Height: 240 m; Year: 1976; Place: Boston, United States; Famous for: Recipient of National Honor Award, tallest building in Boston) 15. Canton Tower (Height: 604 m; Year: 2010; Place: Guangzhou, China; Famous for: Tallest in the world 2009-11) 16. US Bank Tower (Height: 310.3 m; Year: 1989; Place: Los Angeles, USA; Famous for: Library Tower, First Interstate Bank World Center) 17. Rockefeller Plaza (Height: 260 m; Year: 1940; Place: New York, United States; Famous for: Top of the Rock Observation Deck) 18. Skylon Tower (Height: 160 m; Year: 1965; Place: Ontario, Canada; Famous for: Observation Center overlooking the Niagara Falls, American Falls, Horseshoe Falls) 19. Oriental Pearl Tower (Height: 468 m; Year: 1994; Place: Shanghai, China; Famous for: Tallest in China 1994-2007, among the ugliest tow­ers in the world) 20. Gateway Arch (Height: 192 m; Year: 1965; Place: Missouri, United States; Famous for: World’s tallest arch) 21. Eureka Tower (Height: 297.3 m; Year: 2006; Place: Melbourne, Australia; Famous for: It is one of the tallest residential towers in the world) 22. Sydney Tower (Height: 305 m; Year: 1981; Place: Sydney, Aus­tralia; Famous for: Sydney’s tallest structure and the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere) 23. Europaturm (Height: 337.5 m; Year: 1979; Place: Frankfurt, Germany; Famous for: The top of the tower can turn and provides a panoramic view of the Rhine Main Area) 24. Renaissance Center (Height: 230 m; Year: 1976; Place: Detroit, United States; Famous for: Group of seven interconnected skyscrap­ers, the central tower is the third tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere) 25. Calgary Tower (Height: 191 m; Year: 1967; Place: Calgary, Canada; Famous for: This tower was a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers) 26. Trump Tower (Height: 202 m; Year: 1983; Place: New York City, United States; Famous for: Headquarters for The Trump Or­ganization, also known as one of the ugliest towers in the world) 27. Busan Tower (Height: 120 m; Year: 1973; Place: Busan, South Korea; Famous for: Used only for entertainment purposes, it is said to be a good place to get a view of the city’s port) 28. Shanghai World Financial Center (Height: 492 m; Year: 2008; Place: Pudong, Shanghai; Famous for: Was named by the architects as the best skyscraper completed in 2008, receiving both the Best Tall Building Overall and Asia & Australasia awards from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) 29. Sky 100 (Height: 393 m; Year: 2011; Place: Hong Kong, China; Famous for: 360 degree indoor observation deck on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre) 30. Kuala Lumpur Tower (Height: 421 m; Year: 1994; Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Famous for: Tallest in South East Asia) 31. Taipei 101 (Height: 509.2 m; Year: 2004; Place: Taipei, Taiwan; Famous for: The first building in the world to break the half-kilometer mark in height, the world’s largest and highest-use green building) 32. Tower of the Americas (Height: 228.6 m; Year: 1968; Place: San Antonio, Texas, United States; Famous for: Observation tower restaurant, was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World’s Fair, HemisFair ’68) 33. Milad Tower (Height: 435 m; Year: 2007; Place: Tehran, Iran; Fa­mous for: Tallest in the Middle East) 34. Q1 (Queensland Number One) (Height: 322.5 m; Year: 2005; Place: Queensland, Australia; Famous for: The landmark building was recognized as one of Queensland’s icons during the state’s 150th birth­day celebrations) 35. Bank of America Plaza (Height: 365.8 m; Year: 2009; Place: New York, United States; Famous for: One of the most efficient and ecologi­cally friendly buildings in the world) 36. Tokyo Tower (Height: 332.6 m; Year: 1958; Place: Tokyo, Japan; Famous for: Tallest tower from 1958-67) 37. 63 Square (Height: 274 m; Year: 1985; Place: Seoul, South Korea; Famous for: Tallest gold clad structure in the world) 38. Tianjin Radio and Television Tower (Height: 415.2 m; Year: 1991; Place: Tianjin, China; Famous for: Tallest in Asia 1991-1994, Tallest in North China) 39. Istanbul Sapphire (Height: 261 m; Year: 2010; Place: Istanbul, Turkey; Famous for: Has the deepest foundation pit excavated for any structure in Turkey) 40. Collserola Tower (Height: 288 m; Year: 1992; Place: Barcelona, Spain; Famous for: The highest point of this tower is actually the highest place you could be in the city of Barcelona) 41. West Pearl Tower (Height: 339 m; Year: 2004; Place: Chengdu, China; Famous for: Revolving restaurant with a 360 degree view of the city) 42. Blackpool Tower (Height: 158 m; Year: 1894; Place: Blackpool, Unit­ed Kingdom; Famous for: Aquarium and cafeteria, tower circus, tower ballroom and roof gardens) 43. Olympiaturm (Height: 289.5 m; Year: 1968; Place: Munich, Ger­many; Famous for: Rock Museum)45. Donauturm (Height: 252 m; Year: 1964; Place: Vienna, Austria; Famous for: The tallest structure in Austria) 44. Jin Mao Tower (Height: 382 m; Year: 1999; Place: Shanghai, China; Famous for: It contains the Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hotel, which at the time of completion was the highest hotel in the world) 45. Donauturm (Height: 252 m; Year: 1964; Place: Vienna, Austria; Famous for: The tallest structure in Austria) 46. Gerbrandy Tower (Height: 366.8 m; Year: 1961; Place: Ijsselstein, Netherlands; Famous for: Tallest structure in European Union from 1961-1973) 47. Emley Moor (Height: 330.4 m; Year: 1971; Place: Kirklees, United Kingdom; Famous for: Tallest freestanding structure in the United Kingdom) 48. Prudential Tower (Height: 276 m; Year: 1964; Place: Boston, United States; Famous for: 50th floor observation deck, the Skywalk Observatory, is currently the highest observation deck in New England open to the public) 49. Yokohama Marine Tower (Height: 106 m; Year: 1961; Place: Yokohama, Japan; Famous for: The light characteristic is marked by a flash every twenty seconds, whereby the light’s colour is alternating red and green) 50. Sky Tower Wroclaw (Height: 212 m; Year: 2012; Place: Wroclaw, Poland; Famous for: Sky Tower is the tallest building in Poland in the category of height to roof and category of highest floor, a publicly ac­cessible viewpoint is located on the 49th floor) 51. JP Morgan Chase Tower (Height: 305.4 m; Year: 1982; Place: Texas, USA; Famous for: The tallest five sided building in the world) 52. Gran Torre Santiago (Height: 300 m; Year: 2013; Place: San­tiago, Chile; Famous for: The tallest building in Latin America) 53. Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel (Height: 220.37 m; Year: 1976; Place: Atlanta, Georgia, United States; Famous for: One of the tallest all-hotel building in the world) 54. Federation Tower (Height: 450 m; Year: 2017; Place: Moscow, Russia; Famous for: Accommodates the tallest restaurant in Moscow, ‘Sixty’, run by Ginza Project) 55. Olympic Stadium (Height: 175.3 m; Year: 1987; Place: Mon­treal, Canada; Famous for: Highest inclined tower in the world, with 45-degree angle) 56. Sky Tower (Height: 328 m; Year: 1997; Place: Auckland, New Zealand; Famous for: Tallest freestanding structure in Southern Hemisphere) 57. Reunion Tower (Height: 170.7 m; Year: 1978; Place: Dallas, United States; Famous for: The tower is located near the site of the assassination of John F Kennedy) 58. China Olympic Park Observation Tower (Height: 258 m; Year: 2014; Place: Beijing, China; Famous for: Its design is meant to echo the Olympic rings. The overall design was inspired by blades of grass; however it has also been likened to “huge nails”) 59. Dragon Tower (Height: 336 m; Year: 2000; Place: Heilongjiang, China; Famous for: Second tallest freestanding lattice tower in the world and Asia, and the tallest in China) 60. Terminal Tower (Height: 235 m; Year: 1930; Place: Ohio, UnitedStates; Famous for: It was the second tallest building in the world when it was com­pleted) 61. Macau Tower (Height: 338 m; Year: 2001; Place: Macau, China; Famous for: Adventure sports – a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim, bunjee jump, skyjump) 62. Main Tower (Height: 240 m; Year: 2000; Place: Frankfurt, Germany; Famous for: It is the only skyscraper in Frankfurt with a public viewing observatory) 63. Colonius (Height: 266 m; Year: 1981; Place: Cologne, Germany; Famous for: Cafeteria, viewing platform, and a restaurant) 64. Bitexco Financial Tower (Height: 262.5 m; Year: 2010; Place: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Famous for: Shape of the skyscraper is inspired from Vietnam’s national flower, the Lotus) 65. Tuntex Sky Tower (Height: 347.5 m; Year: 1997; Place: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Famous for: An Atrium that extends from Level 45’s Shimmer Ballroom to 83, one of the highest continuous atrium in the world) 66. Rheinturm (Height: 240.5 m; Year: 1981; Place: Dusseldorf, Germany; Famous for: Revolving restaurant, observation deck, tallest building in Dus­seldorf, the light sculpture on the Rheinturm is the largest digital clock in the world) 67. Carew Tower (Height: 175 m; Year: 1930; Place: Cincinnati, Ohio; Famous for: The tower was added to the register of National Historic Landmarks) 68. Donauturm Wien (Height: 252 m; Year: 1964; Place: Vienna, Austria; Famous for: Tallest tower in Austria) 69. N. Seoul Tower (Height: 236 m; Year: 1971; Place: Seoul, South Korea; Famous for: Marks the second highest point in Seoul) 70. Fernsehturm Stuttgart (Height: 216.61 m; Year: 1956; Place: Stuttgart, Germany; Famous for: First telecommunications tower in the world construed from reinforced concrete, and it is the prototype for many such towers worldwide) 71. Avala Tower (Height: 204.5 m; Year: 1965; Place: Avala, Serbia; Famous for: Destroyed in NATO bombing on April 29, 1999; reconstruction completed October 2009; tallest in the Balkans) 72. Alor Setar Tower (Height: 165.5 m; Year: 1997; Place: Alor Setar, Malaysia; Famous for: Telecommunication tower, tourist destination, restaurants, souvenir shop. The tower is an observatory tower to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim months) 73. Monas (Height: 137 m; Year: 1975; Place: Jakarta, Indonesia; Famous for: National Monument of Indonesia built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence) 74. Kuwait Towers (Height: 187 m; Year: 1979; Place: Kuwiat City, Kuwait; Famous for: Recipient of Aga Khan Award for Architecture) 75. Minaret and Archaelogical Remains of Jam (Height: 65 m; Year: 1190; Place: Shahrak District, Ghor Province, Afghanistan; Famous for: Since 2002, the minaret has remained on the list of World Heritage in Danger, under serious threat of erosion, and has not been actively preserved) 76. Galata Tower (Height: 66.9 m; Year: 1348; Place: Istanbul, Turkey; Famous for: There is a restaurant and café on its upper floors which have views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Also located on the upper floors is a night club which hosts a Turkish show. 77. Two Towers of Bologna (Height: 97.2 m; Year: 1119; Place: Bologna, Italy; Famous for: Leaning style, known as the symbol of Italy) 78. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi (Height: 73 m; Year: 1220; Place: New Delhi; Famous for: Architecture, movie and television series shoots) 79. Chrysler Building (Height: 318.9 m; Year: 1930; Place: Manhat­tan, NY; Famous for: Tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework) 80. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa (Height: 55.86 m; Year: 1372; Place: Pisa, Italy; Famous for: Its unitended tilt) 81. Statue of Liberty (Height: 93 m; Year: 1886; Place: New York City, United States; Famous for: It is a gift to the US from France to celebrate the friendship the two endured during the American Revolution) 82. Tashkent Tower (Height: 374.9 m; Year: 1985; Place: Tash­kent, Uzbekistan; Famous for: Tallest in Central Asia) 83. Spinnaker Tower (Height: 170 m; Year: 2005; Place: Ports­mouth, United Kingdom; Famous for: Landmark observation tower in Portsmouth) 84. Washington Monument (Height: 169.3 m; Year: 1884; Place: Washing­ton DC, United States; Famous for: Observation level at 152 m) 85. Liberation Tower (Height: 372 m; Year: 1996; Place: Kuwait City, Kuwait; Famous for: The second tallest structure in the country) 86. San Jacinto Monument (Height: 172.92 m; Year: 1939; Place: La Porte, Texas, United States; Famous for: World’s tallest monumental column) 87. Zizkov Television Tower (Height: 216 m; Year: 1992; Place: Prague, Czech Republic; Famous for: Rocket and gantry appearance, known as the second ugliest building in the world) 88. Euromast (Height: 186 m; Year: 1962; Place: Rotterdam, Netherlands; Fa­mous for: “Crow nest” observation platform, member of the World Federation of Great Towers, the tower hosted an extreme sports event which featured BASE jumping) 89. Pharos Lighthouse (Height: 122 m; Year: 280 BC; Place: Alexandria, Egypt; Famous for: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, World’s Tallest tower from 280 BC to 1180 AD) 90. Malmesbury Abbey Tower (Height: 131.3 m; Year: 1180; Place: Malmes­bury, United Kingdom; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1180 to 1240, one of the oldest churches) 91. Tower of Old St Paul’s Cathedral (Height: 150 m; Year: 1240; Place: London, United Kingdom; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1240 to 1311) 92. Tower of Lincoln Cathedral (Height: 159.7 m; Year: 1311; Place: Lincoln, UK; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1311 to 1549) 93. Tower of St Mary’s Church (Height: 151 m; Year: 1549; Place: Stralsund, Germany; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1549 to 1647) 94. Tower of Strasbourg Cathedral (Height: 142 m; Year: 1647; Place: Strasbourg, France; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1647 to 1874) 95. St. Nikolai Memorial (Height: 147.3 m; Year: 1195; Place: Ham­burg, Germany; Famous for: Church ruin, World’s Tallest tower from 1874 to 1876) 96. Tower of Rouen Cathedral (Height: 151 m; Year: 1030; Place: Rouen, France; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1876 to 1880) 97. Tower of Cologne Cathedral (Height: 157.38 m; Year: 1880; Place: Cologne, Germany; Famous for: World’s Tallest Tower from 1880 to 1889) 98. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (Height: 107 m; Year: 1915; Place: Ohio, United States; Famous for: World’s most massive Doric column; fourth-tallest memorial in the US) 99. KLIA2 Control Tower (Height: 133.8 m; Year: 2013; Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Famous for: Tallest air-traffic control tower in the world) 100. Funkturm Berlin (Height: 150 m; Year: 1926; Place: Berlin, Germany; Famous for: Only observation tower standing on insulators) 101. Ulm Munster (Height: 161.5 m; Year: 1377-1890; Place: Ulm, Ger­many; Famous for: Tallest church tower in the world) 102. Hillbrow Tower (Height: 269 m; Year: 1969; Place: Johannesburg, South Africa; Famous for: Tallest in Africa) 103. Lotus Tower (Height: 350 m; Year: 2018; Place: Colombo, Sri Lanka; Famous for: Tallest structure in South Asia) 104. Burj Al Arab, Dubai – Boat hotel (Height: 321 m; Year: 1999; Place: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Famous for: One of the top five tallest hotels in the world, the shape of the structure is designed to resemble the sail of a ship) 105. Torre Agbar, Barcelona (Height: 144.44 m; Year: 2004; Place: Barcelona, Spain; Famous for: Unique shape like that of a bullet, also known as one of the ugliest tall buildings in the world; recipient of green building award from the Euro­pean Council for its energy efficiency and low carbon dioxide emissions) 106. Montparnasse Tower (Height: 210 m; Year: 1973; Place: Paris, France; Famous for: Known as the ugliest building in the world) 107. Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science (Height: 237 m; Year: 1955; Place: Warsaw, Poland; Famous for: Musical Concerts, known among the ugliest buildings in the world) 108. Sagrada Familia Towers (Height: 170 m when completed; Year: Work in progress since 1882; Place: Barcelona, Spain Famous for: UNESCO WHS – Unique building with unique structure of towers. Will be the tallest cathedral towers in Europe when complete) 109. Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple (Yingxian Wooden Tower) (Height: 67.31 m; Year: 1056; Place: Shanxi, China; Famous for: It is the tallest among the ancient still existing wooden Pagodas in China) 110. Tianning Pagoda (Height: 153.79 m; Year: 2007; Place: Changzhou, China; Famous for: This wooden pagoda is the tallest pagoda in the world) 111. Hwangryongsa Temple (Height: 80 m; Year: 660; Place: Gyeongju, South Korea; Famous for: This was tallest structure in East Asia and tallest wooden structure in the world during that time – destroyed in 1238 AD by the Mongols) 112. Tiger Sky Tower (Height: 110 m; Year: 2004; Place: Sentosa Island, Sin­gapore; Famous for: Tallest free standing observation tower in Asia) 113. British Airways i360 (Height: 161 m; Year: 2016; Place: Brighton, United buildings Kingdom; Famous for: Thinnest tall tower in the world) 114. Tortoise Mountain TV Tower (Height: 311.4 m; Year: 1986; Place: Wuhan, China; Famous for: China’s first self-supported TV tower) 115. Abraj AL-Bait Clock Tower (Height: 601 m; Year: 2012; Place: Mecca, Saudi Arabia; Famous for: World’s largest clock face) 116. Jeddah Light House (Height: 133 m; Year: 1990; Place: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Famous for: Has a credible claim to be the world’s tallest light tower) 117. Palacio Barolo (Height:100 m; Year: 1923; Place: Buenos Aires, Ar­gentina; Famous for: The lighthouse at the top of the building can be seen all the way in Montevideo, Uruguay) 118. Ile Vierge Lighthouse (Height: 82.5 m; Year: 1902; Place: Finistere, France; Famous for: Tallest traditional lighthouse) 119. Lighthouse of Genoa (Height: 77 m; Year: 1543; Place: Genoa, Italy; Famous for: Tallest in the Mediterranean) 120. Swinoujscie Lighthouse (Height: 65 m; Year: 1857; Place: Swinou­jscie, Poland; Famous for: Tallest brick lighthouse, tallest in Poland) 121. Central Radio & TV Tower (Height: 405 m; Year: 1992; Place: Beijing, China; Famous for: Tallest structure in Beijing) 122. Windmill Viewpoint, Phuket (Place: Phuket, Thailand; Fa­mous for: Spot passing sea traffic, ranging from long-tail boats with their long converted truck motors, to fishing boats heading out in the Andaman, to oil tankers and even mega-sized cruise ships com­ing from and heading back to Singapore) 123. Montefiore Windmill Tower (Place: Yemin Moshe, Jerusa­lem, Israel; Year: 1850s; Famous for: Acts as a museum at the entry point to this quaint neighborhood) 124. Windmill Tower & Tulips (Place: Akebonoyama, Japan; Fa­mous for: This machine in Akebonoyama decorated with tulips field is a real attraction for the tourists to spend a great time relaxing) 125. Salt Flats and Windmill Tower (Place: Mozia, Sicily, Italy; Famous for: This was a pumping mill for salt works, but now it is a salt museum)

With over 20 mountain ranges across its length and breadth, India has no dearth of picturesque hill stations. While some are already popular and hence crowded, oth­ers are quaint and serene. Out of about 1000 hill stations of the country, this list covers 125, whether crowded, less-explored or totally off the beaten path. Some more have been covered in the pictures only. We hope this list would satiate the travel thirst of our readers by giving them an exhaustive list of hill stations to escape to when they get tired with the din and bustle of city life. Visit these hilly retreats during summer to beat the scorching heat, or go there to enjoy the heavenly beauty during the monsoons or winters to get the best of the ethereal charm. A Almora, Uttarakhand This hill station in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is the perfect meeting ground of culture, history, heritage and natural beauty. The dreamy place abodes some important temples like Nanda Devi, Asht Bhairav and Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple and it is a pilgrim site as well. Shaped like a horse shoe, this town is famous for its pre-British period heritage. It was well known as place where people came to gain health. Auli, Uttarakhand Yet another sought after hill station of Uttarakhand is Auli. Snow clad peaks, gorgeous views of glaciers and the longest cable car ride in Asia, are what make this hill station special. It is a popular skiing destination as well. Surrounded by coniferous and oak forests and Nandadevi and Nar Parvat mountains, the town is also blessed with other nearby attractions like the Valley of Flowers, Badrinath temple and unique alpine flora and fauna that includes red foxes and snow leopards. One can reach Auli from the nearest airport of Dehradun. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh This beautiful place in the Eastern Ghats in the Visakhapatnam district is also known as the ‘Food bowl of South India’. Coffee plantations, hills enveloped in green woods, caves, waterfalls and beautiful landscape cut into half by serpentine hill roads makes this a much sought after holiday destination. Tourist attractions like Sangda Waterfalls, Dumbriguda Fall, Katiki Falls, the Ananthagiri hills, the Tribal Museum and Borra Caves are not to be missed here. Vishakhapatnam is the closest Airport and the place can also be reached by road and railways. Aru Valley, Kashmir For those who enjoy rural settings of Pahalgam, the sounds of gushing Lidder River and galloping horses, pitching a tent in Aru Valley will certainly amplify pleasure. From waking up amidst misty mountains in the morning and taking an early morning stroll across the valley, to going for horse riding or trekking, there are ample opportunities for pleasure of tourists. Photographers can click photos incessantly here. Nearby tourist attractions include Betaab Valley, Baisaran and Chandanwari. Aru is also the starting point of expeditions to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonamarg. Andretta, Himachal Pradesh Located only 17 km from Palampur and 44 km from Kangra, Andretta is a small village in Himachal Pradesh for artists and art aficionados. It was promoted as an artist’s paradise and drew the attention of film makers, painters and other eminent personali­ties. There is a theatre and a Pottery and Craft Society here. With Dhauladhar Mountains and lush green forests surrounding the place, it is also a perfect destination for nature and bird lovers. There are around 550 species of birds found here. Andretta can be reached by a car from Palampur or Kangra. Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh With an elevation of 1,048 m, Amarkantak is a decent place to visit if you are looking for a hill station. It is however more popular as the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura Ranges from where the River Narmada originates. It is a sacred place for the Hindus. The town is also surrounded by rich flora. Askot, Uttarakhand If you want to spend your holidays in a hill station on the Indo-Nepal Border, Askot is a good option. Rather lesser known, and hence retaining its pristine beauty, Askot is one of the best destinations Uttarakhand has to offer. Located in the Kumaon region, Askot is blessed with surreal beauty that is composed of emerald mountainous views, rhododendrons, dense vegetation and a wildlife sanctuary that is home to the endangered Musk Deer. While for nature lovers there is so much here, for adventure lovers also there are many interesting activities to engage in. There are extremely challenging trek routes along the Dharchula Range up towards the Kailash and Mansarovar. Askot is also a base point for many short treks that offer spectacular views. The hill station is situated 54 km from Pithoragarh and one may hire a cab from Pithoragarh to reach here. Aizawl, Mizoram Aizawl is one of the oldest cities of north eastern India and is culturally very significant. Located at an elevation of 1,130m, the city overlooks the Tlwang and Tuirial rivers. The hill station is an indigenous home to some of the primitive and ethnic groups in North East India. Mizo festivals like Chapchar Kut is a good time to visit the place. It may be noted that even Indians need an Inner Line Permit to visit the state of Mizoram. Amboli, Maharashtra Located in the Sahyadri Hills of Western India, Amboli is an eco tourism hotspot with abundance of flora and fauna. The major tourist attractions of Amboli are the ruins of the historic Mad­havgadh Fort, Amboli Waterfalls, the Shirgaonkar Viewpoint, the caves and nearby Hiranya Keshi temple. This Maharashtrian hill station is located 690m above the sea level and is tucked away in a remote corner, away from the humdrums of the world. This is the last hill station of Maharashtra and is geographically close to the state of Goa. The best way to reach here is by road or train. The nearest airport is that of Dabolim in Goa which is located only 108 kms away. Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand This quaint mountain top hamlet in the Kali Kumaon region of Champawat District of Uttarakhand houses some British style bungalows. The snow-capped cliffs of the Himalayan Range of mountains can be viewed from here. A whiff of fresh air wel­comes tourists here. Tucked away in a remote corner of Uttara­khand, Abbott Mount is perfect for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The best way to explore the place is on foot. From this place one can see an ancient cricket in the distance as well as some village in Nepal. Achabal, Jammu and Kashmir The beauty of the state is well known far and wide. Achabal, in the Anantnag district, is one of the lesser explored places in the state. It is home to one of the most stunning gardens in the state – the Mughal Garden that was once the retreat for Noor Jahan, the Chief consort of Mughal Emperor Jehangir. Another attraction here is the beautiful waterfall of Aharbal, located a little away from the main town. One can also consider trekking to the lush meadows of Kungwatar. To reach Achabal one can take a cab from Srinagar or Anantnag. B Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh Located in the West Kameng district of this state in north eastern part of the country, this is a place known for its sheer pristine beauty. The town provides views of the Kangto and Gorichen Peaks. The Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is located closeby and those visiting here can easily make trips to the forest areas as well. 70 km from here is a 17th century monastery called the Lhagyala Monastery. The beauty of this place was pictured in a Shah Rukh Khan starrer Bollywood movie ‘Koyla’. Banjar Valley, Himachal Pradesh A rather quaint destination in a state that is full of well known hill stations, Banjar Valley has many things to offer to tourists. It is however, not just one town, but has many small destina­tions. The main attractions here are the town of Banjar and the villages of Jibhi, Shoja and Chaini. At Jibhi one can stay by the riverside and enjoy unlimited trout fishing and getting drenched in a beautiful waterfall. Shoja is a quiet hamlet with incredible mountain views and the Jalori Pass which is a little away. The Pass is the beginning point of a trek for the high altitude Serol­sar Lake. Chaini is known for the Chaini Fort. To reach the valley one can take buses from Delhi or Chandigarh up to Aut. From Aut one can take the bus up to Banjar Valley. C Coonoor, Tamil Nadu Of the three hill stations in the Nilgiri hills, Coonoor is the quainter one and perhaps more pristine due to its virgin and unspoilt beauty. Its botanical gardens, tea and coffee plantations are to die for. That apart, for the adventure aficionados trekking paths leading to outside of the town is a big attraction. Chikmagalur, Karnataka Located at the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range, Chikmagalur is often referred as the ‘Coffee Land’ of Karnataka. Away from the din and bustle of city life, a holiday in this region brings the much needed respite. The place is dotted with many hills and mountains and offers an unforgettable experience to visitors. The nearest airport is at Mangalore. Chikhaldara, Maharashtra This lesser known hill station in the Amravati district of Maha­rashtra has a reference in the Mahabharata. It is believed that it is here that Bheema killed Keechaka and threw the body into the valley below. Important attractions here include the tiger sanctuary, Tribal Museum, botanical gardens, Kitchakdari, Sema­doh and Shakkar lakes, the Gavilgad Fort and Narnala Fort and a few viewpoints like the Hurricane Point, Prospect Point and Devi Point. The place is rich in wildlife and abodes panthers, sloth bears, sambar deers, wild boars and wild dogs. Chikhaldara can be reached by train from Akola. Chopta, Uttarakhand This is a more known hill station of Uttarakhand and is often called the ‘Mini Switzerland’ of Uttarakhand. Forming a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta is especially popular with adventure-seekers and trekkers. It serves as the base for trekking to Tunganath. The majestic Himalayas serve as the backdrop of this pristine hilly retreat and paints a divine beauty around. The pristine beauty of the place beckons you to visit here again and again. The nearest airport is at Dehradun. Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya Meghalaya, the abode of the clouds is home to Cherrapunjee, once known as the rainiest place on earth. Today it is more known for its waterfalls, nearby caves and living root bridges. Located in the Khasi Hills of the state, a 2 hours’ drive from the capital city of Shillong, this place casts a magic spell on its visitors with its misty climate. Chaukori, Uttarakhand Situated in Pithoragarh district of the state close to the Indo-Nepal border, Chaukori is a paradise for nature lovers. It sits at an elevation of 2010 m and is 173 km away from Nainital and makes for a perfect day trip from the latter. Towering Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and the Panchauli form the background of this hill station. The place is known for its tea plantations. Chatpal, Jammu and Kashmir In this age of technology invasion, if you want to visit a place with the old world charm, Chatpal seems like the best choice. There is no electricity here, but that does not stop the place from being a paradise. It is so cold here that even during summer one needs layers of blankets to sleep comfortably. Apart from enjoying the surreal beauty of the place, trekking to the nearby Thimran village past apple orchards, walnut and oak forest is an option. One can take a cab from Srinagar to reach here. Chail, Himachal Pradesh Located 44 km from Shimla and 45 km from Solan at an elevation of 2,250m, Chail was once the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Patiala. It famously abodes the highest cricket ground in the world and also has dense forests. Apart from the scenic beauty here, one can enjoy adventure activities like Burma bridge, rope walk and rock rappelling at Chail. The nearest airport is at Chandigarh. Champhai, Mizoram Located in the Indo-Myanmar border, Champhai is also known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Mizoram’ because it has the big­gest stretch of plain land used for rice cultivation in the state. Surrounded by hills on all the sides, this hill town in Mizo­ram, some 200 km from Aizawl, is a visitor’s delight. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Myanmar Hills. The place is inhabited by different tribal groups, and is a good cultural experience too. Coorg, Karnataka Located in the Western Ghats, Coorg is one of the scenic and pristine hill stations in Karnataka. It is a popular weekend get­away for wearied city dwellers from Bengaluru and Mysore. Embraced with lush evergreen forests, alluring waterfalls, pleasantly flowing streams and rivers, holidays in Coorg spell a sojourn of natural beauty, peace of mind and enjoyable times. The culture and cuisine of Coorg are also not to be missed. The nearest airport is at Mangalore. Champawat, Uttarakhand Bordered by the enchanting mountain ranges and the majestic Kali River, this serene hill station is one of the least crowded destinations in Uttarakhand, and hence serene. The place provides scenic views in Champawat. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar. Chamba, Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh has many hill stations and Chamba is one of them located at a height of 996 m above sea level at the meeting point of River Ravi and River Sal. The place is home to many ancient temples that attract pilgrims. The Suhi Mata Mela and Minjar Mela are important events to get acquainted with the culture here. The Pathankot airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 120 kilometres. From there one can take taxis to reach Chamba. Chirmiri, Chhattisgarh The lone hill station of the state of Chhattisgarh in this list, Chirmiri deserves special mention. The place is more known for its coal mines than for anything else. However the hill station is blessed with picturesque views around which tourists can enjoy. One also finds here a Sjri Jagannath Temple that was built in the style of the Jagannath temple at Puri by workers coming to work here from Odisha. Apart from this there are a few other temples in and around Chirmiri. D Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand Located 24 km from Mussoorie, Dhanaulti is a quaint hill station on the foothills of the Garhwal Range of the Himalayas. The place attracts the travellers looking for some solitude. The eleva­tion is 2,286 m above sea level. While the nearby Mussoorie is crowded with tourists, those coming to Dhanaulti find the much needed respite in its laid back pace. Darjeeling, West Bengal Located in the Himalayan foothills, Darjeeling is one of the most revered destinations of eastern India and is a craze with tourists from all over India. Tea gardens, UNESCO World Heritage listed Mountain Railway, churches, monasteries and parks make it a place worth visit at least once. One of the biggest highlights of the place is the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, one of the tallest peaks in the world. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh Nestled amidst the picturesque coniferous forests of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is the abode of the snow-clad peaks, spectacular landscapes and stunning views of the Himalayas. It is famously the home to His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile. It has an elevation of 1,450 m and is the starting point of several treks around the Himalayan Range. It is a centre for Tibetan Buddhism and is a favourite place for foreign tourists. Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh Spread across five hills near the Dhauladhar Mountain Range with an elevation of about 2,000 m, this hill station was the summer retreat of Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor General of India. The place is dotted with many colonial era buildings that add to its heritage look. One can trek up the Dainkund Peak to reach the Pholani Devi temple. Satdhara Falls, Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, Subhash Baoli etc. are some of the important attrac­tions of the place. The nearest airport is at Kangra. Daringbadi, Odisha Also called the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’, Daringbadi has an elevation of only 914 metres but temperature in winter often reaches sub zero, thus making it a popular winter destination. Coffee and black pepper plantations, a number of waterfalls and viewpoints are the major attraction of the place. Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh This is a tranquil hill station atop the hill above Mcleodganj in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This place is more known for its meditation centres and slow-paced life. It is also a starting point for the trek to Triund. The cafés in Dharamkot are known for their pancakes, lasagnas, pastas and hummus. Fruit wines and apple cedar from here are also popular. The nearest airport and railway station is at Kangra. E Elapeedika, Kerala This is a small village located at an elevation of 1000 m above the sea level in the Western Ghats. It is the highest place in the Kannur district and provides a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea. At the Periya Pass here Pazhassiraja’s force and East India company had fought a battle. Elappara, Kerala This is a village in Idukki village with an elevation of 1000 m. Its cool climate and tea plantations draw a lot of visitors. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Mullaperiyar Dam are not far from here. G Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir The most popular and liked skiing destination in India, Gulmarg, which means ‘meadow of flowers’, is located 52 km from Srina­gar. This place was once the summer retreat of kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir. Gulmarg is truly a white beauty. Besides skiing and ice-skating, you can also chance a ride on the second highest cable car in the world. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Goeche La, Sikkim At an elevation of 4,940 metres, this is a Mountain Pass in the Himalayan Range. The southeast face of the third highest mountain in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga, is visible from here. Goeche La serves as the base camp for those climbing the Mount Kanchenjunga. Gangtok, Sikkim Gangtok, the capital city of north eastern Indian state of Sikkim is cosseted by some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas. Pristine beauty and awe-inspiring location of this hill station make it an ideal place to enjoy ropeway cable ride and river rafting. The city is full of monasteries, parks, gardens and other tourist attractions. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. Gurez Valley, Kashmir Located in the interiors of Kashmir, Gurez Valley is blessed with ethereal beauty and is often dubbed to possess one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Kashmir. Situated very close to the Indo-Pakistan border, Gurez boasts unparalleled natural beauty of which the scintillating Kishenganga River, the lofty snow-capped mountains, sparse wooden houses and acres of meadow are part of. The locals here thrive on homestay facilities provided to tour­ists. Gurez Valley is situated 123 km from Srinagar and can be reached from there by car. H Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh Located in Andhra Pradesh around 140km from Bangalore, Hors­ley Hills is quite a mystical hill station. According to the legends, this vicinity was once inhabited by a miracle girl, who had magi­cal power of healing. Named after W.D. Horsley, this place is also a popular ground for adventure activities like zorbing, rappelling and trekking. Haflong, Assam This is a quaint little hill station in Assam and can be reached by rail or road from Guwahati. Bright green surroundings, blue rivers and clouds grazing the blue hills that are covered with around 2 lakh varieties of flowers is what aptly describes Haflong. It is home to warm Assamese tribes and tribal culture flourishes in this place. Haflong Lake, Maibong and Jatinga Village are tourist places to visit here. Adventure lovers have options like paragliding, trekking and boating. From October to April is the best time to visit. I Idukki, Kerala A lesser explored place in Kerala, Idukki is just a bus, or train ride away from Kottayam. Lakes, dams, tea plantations and the Eravikulan Wildlife Sanctuary are the main attractions here. The best time to visit is from October to February. The best way to get here is by private vehicle so that one can enjoy the drive through picturesque forests with sight of elephants from time to time. Imphal, Manipur Having a mere elevation of 786m, it is not among the highest hill stations of north eastern India for sure, but definitely one of the most beautiful and important. The Kangla Fort, which is now in ruins, was once the seat of the local rulers. The other attractions here are a historic polo ground, museum and temples. J Johar Valley, Uttarakhand For trekkers this is the best destination. Difficult terrains, cold climate even in summer and picturesque views make it so. The Milam Glacier can be reached crossing the Johar Valley. One can camp at villages like Pungdeo, Bogudyar and Martoli, from where one has majestic views of peaks, closeness to the temple of Nanda Devi Temple and warmth of hospitality of the locals. River Gori Ganga cuts through beautiful gorges, lush meadows and dense forests in Johar Valley making it a rare beauty. Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh Named after the ruler of Mandi, Raja Joginder Singh, this quaint hill station is often called the ‘Powerhouse of India’. The mountain ranges surrounding this place house three of the most effective hydro-electric power plants in India. While nature is at its best here, one can also take part in adventure sports like paragliding and trekking. Jhalong, West Bengal Located near the Indo-Bhutan border, this is a small hill station by the Jaldhaka River. This village in Kalimpong District is only 99 km from Siliguri and 77 km from Jalpaiguri. Jhalong is often also referred to as Jaldhaka, after the river. The Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara National Park etc. are close by. The first hydro-electric project in India was developed here and this is one of the major attractions. Jhalong is also a birders’ paradise. K Kullu, Himachal Pradesh Located at an altitude of 1,230m, Kullu is one of the most cap­tivating hill stations in India with an abundance to visit. It is on the banks the River Beas and has a bundle of adventure activities like paragliding, camping under the starry nights and so on. The landscape here is composed of green woods, majestic hills and shimmery rivers. Kalimpong, West Bengal Perched atop a ridge above the Teesta River at an elevation of 1,250m on the Himalayan foothills, Kalimpong is a delightful experience. Dotted with colonial era buildings, churches, monas­teries and parks, this hill station has a lot to offer to tourists. Kufri, Himachal Pradesh Located in the Shimla district on the foothills of the Himalayas, Kufri is a paradise for travellers. The hypnotic charm of the place with lush greenery and the snow clad hills around coupled with its chilly climate makes it a favourite with couples. In winter the place gets a white snow cover making it a sought after destination for activities like skiing and tobogganing. In summer trekking and hiking are the more popular activities. The closest airport is Jubbarbhatti Airport near Shimla (20 kms). Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu In Kotagiri one can witness the Nilgiris changing its colour. While the Nilgiris are known as the ‘Blue Mountains’, at Kotagiri it turns green. Endless patches of tea plantations are responsible for the change in appearance of the hills. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore. Kohima, Nagaland The capital city of Nagaland is a hill station with an elevation of 1,444m and was founded by the British in the later half of the 19th century. It is home to people from various Naga tribes. The Kohima Cemetery which is a WWII memorial is by far the most popular attraction here. Other attractions include museums, churches, viewpoints and the Heritage Village that is a little drive away. Kurseong, West Bengal Located 32 km from Darjeeling at an elevation of 1,450m, Kur­seong is the land of ‘White Orchids’. It has pleasant climate all year through and is a sought after hill resort especially with the people from West Bengal. Kurseong is known for its beautiful tea plantations, churches and boarding schools, but is equally famous for the spooky Dow Hills which is said to be the most haunted place in India. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh Located gracefully atop a plateau at an elevation of 1,920m, Khajjiar is called the mini Switzerland of India. The region is cov­ered with lush greenery and cedar forest. Khajjiar was unknown to the rest of the world until 1992 when the Vice Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland visited this hill station and praised it. Attractions here include the 12th century Khajji Nag Temple, high altitude Khajjiar Lake and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. Khandala, Maharashtra Located atop the Bhor Ghat in Maharashtra, this hill station is one of the most celebrated summer retreats in the country. It is also popular for trekking and hiking. It became more famous after the song “Aati kya Khandala” in Aamir Khan starrer movie ‘Ghulam’. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh Established during British rule as a colonial hill station, Kasauli sits at an elevation of 1,800m. Lined with scenic pine and oak plantations, the colonial architecture of this quaint hill station offers a unique charm of India’s pre-independence era. Kasauli can be reached by road from Chandigarh which is the nearest airport. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu Located in the Dindigul district of the state, Kodaikanal sits at an elevation of 2,133m. Surrounded by lush green forests, grassy hills, waterfalls and granite cliffs, Kodaikanal is often known as the ‘Gift of the Forests‘. It is also said to be the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’ and has a lot to offer to tourists including the star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, Berijam Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rock and Guna Caves. Kanatal, Mussoorie A town within a town, Kanatal is located inside Mussoorie but isn’t at all like it. At Kanatal one is surrounded by pine forests, lush greenery, apple orchards, flower gardens, waterfalls and small temples hidden away. For foodies and nature lovers it is the quintessential town to visit. Khati, Uttarakhand Trekking to Khati is a popular activity, although largely this is still a much unexplored hill station. Khati is the last inhabited village on the way to the Pindari Glacier and is the base for the trek to it. The hill station is lined with oak forests and rhododendrons making it a breathtaking experience. Kausani, Uttarakhand Popularly known as ‘Switzerland of India’, Kausani is a place from where one can feast the eyes on mesmerising view of Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli and the Someshwar valley, Garur and Baijnath Katyuri valley below. Surrounded by dense pine woods and tea gardens, Kausani is also a great place to spot wildlife. Situated at an elevation of 1,890m, natural beauty of Kausani is heavenly to say the least. Apart from that there is not much to do here except to see Anashakti Ashram and Pant Museum. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar. Kaza, Himachal Pradesh This is a high-altitude cold desert on the banks of the Spiti River with an elevation of 3,650m above sea level. The terrain here is similar to that of Tibet or Ladakh. Buddhist culture pre­vails here and the town is accessible from Kinnaur as well as Lahaul Valley. Less frequented by tourists due to rough terrain, Kaza mainly attracts mountaineers, adventure junkies and trek­king enthusiasts. Tangyud Monastery, Kibber Village and Key Gompa are some of the most prominent attractions here. Kibber, Himachal Pradesh At an elevation of 4,205m, Kibber is the highest village in the world, located just 18 km away from Kaza and lies in proxim­ity to villages like Komic, Langshu and Hikkim, which are base camps for many treks. Due to very difficult terrain, the hill sta­tion sees very less tourist. The allure of barren and the majestic mountains besides the overwhelming silence of monasteries adds to the charm of this place. There is a wildlife sanctuary here that is home to Himalayan wolf, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan woolly hare and blue sheep among others. Kokernag, Jammu and Kashmir Some 60 km from the tourist hub of Pahalgam is situated the lesser known yet beautiful hill station of Kokernag. If you love Mughal Gardens, you will be happy to know that Kokernag has the biggest garden in Kashmir. Asia’s largest trout fishery is also located her. One can go there and learn about breed­ing this species of fish. Kokernag can be reached by cab from Pahalgam or Srinagar. Keylong, Himachal Pradesh Keylong is on the picturesque Manali-Leh Highway, at an elevation of 3,080m. Located on the banks of the Bhaga River, it is often thronged by the tourists during the Manali to Leh motorcycle expedition. In the month of July, tourists can witness its annual celebration which is full of fun, colours and merriment. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar. L Lansdowne, Uttarakhand A quaint hill station, situated at an altitude of 1,706m above sea level, in the Garhwal district, Landsdowne is blessed with a pleasant climate all around the year. The place has a cover of thick oak and blue pine forests and also provides visitors pristine views and peaceful environment. Adventure lovers can indulge in activities like trekking and nature walks, bird watching, boating and paddling. Lonavala, Maharashtra Thanks to Bollywood, Lonavala, a hill station on the Sahyadri Range, is one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is also known as the ‘Jewel of Sahyadri’. Resting at an elevation of 622m above sea level, this place is bestowed with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Visitors may indulge in activities like trekking, fishing and picnicking apart from sightseeing. Lonavala can be reached by road or train from Mumbai and Pune. Lavasa, Maharashtra It is the first ever planned hill station in India, and not a gift of the colonial rule. It was built in the style of an Italian town called Portofino. This yet-to-be completed hill station is located near Pune and is a private property. Lepchaghat, West Bengal Located in wilderness at an altitude of about 6967 feet above sea level, Lepchajagat is a quaint little mountain village which is charmingly beautiful, to say the least. The village lies on a hill slope amidst rhododendron and oaks forests. The best thing about the place is that although it is a mere 19 kms away from Darjeeling, and easily accessible by a 45 minute journey by road, this hilly village has somehow quite miraculously been able to maintain its tranquil atmosphere. Landour, Uttarakhand 6 km from Mussoorie, one finds Landour, a cantonment town that has an old-world vibe. Abode to the famous author Ruskin Bond and others including Allan Sealy and Colleen Gantzer, Landour’s connection to the literary world is not unknown anymore. The laid back lifestyle here attracts tourists here. One can take a walk or rent a bike to explore nearby attractions like Kempty Falls, Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi or Chamba. Lava, West Bengal This hill station is located only 34 km from the more popular hill station of Kalimpong. It has an elevation of 2,140 meters and is popular for being the entry points of the Neora Valley National Park and the Jelep La and Rechi La Passes. Located about 670 kms from Kolkata, this place brings the much needed respite to the city dwellers from the heat and hustle and bustle. Lolegaon, West Bengal Located at an altitude of 1,675m at the extreme end of a Himalayan ridge, about 24 km from the more popular hill station of Lava, Lolegaon is a small picturesque village. From here one can have beautiful views of the Singalila Range, the Kanchenjunga and Tiger Hill. M Matheran, Maharashtra Located 800m above the sea level, Matheran is known for its mild climate, Neral-Matheran heritage toy train ride and colo­nial era architecture. Motor vehicles are banned inside this pris­tine hill station and you arrive by the train and inside the place, commuting is either on foot or on horseback. The viewpoints offer panoramic views of the Western Ghats mountains. Munnar, Kerala Located 1,600m above the sea level, Munnar in Kerala is a picturesque hill station. Also called the ‘Green Capital of India’, it is laced with scenic mountains, rolling hilltops, tea and coffee plantations, and is a true cradle of nature that befits fairy tales and fantasies. The nearest airport is at Kochi. Mount Abu, Rajasthan Famous for being the only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu rests on a rocky plateau on the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The place is surrounded by forests and lakes and has many as­sociated myths and legends. It offers respite to travellers from the heat of the desert around. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand Often called the ‘Queen of Hills’, Mussoorie rests at a height of 1,880m above the sea level. It is located at a distance of 35km form Dehradun. The serenity of the place, its pristine beauty, panoramic views of the Doon Valley and an exhilarat­ing ropeway cable ride, are some of the attractions Mussoorie has on offer. Manali, Himachal Pradesh One of the top skiing destinations in India, Manali is known for its alluring beauty and splendour. Located at an elevation of 2,050m beside the Beas River Valley, Manali is popular with honeymooners and sports lovers alike. The snowy blanket of Manali in winter is a heavenly sight. Paragliding in these beau­tiful hills of Manali is a popular activity. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra Located on the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1,353m, Ma­habaleshwar, with its tranquil and evergreen ambience, used to be the summer capital of Bombay. The hill station is also known as the ‘Land of Strawberries’. Mahabaleshwar can be easily reached both from Pune and Mumbai. Mirik, West Bengal One of the many hilly jewels of West Bengal, Mirik is all about natural beauty and splendour. Located mystically amongst the hills of Darjeeling, this small hill town offers a tranquil holiday experience ornamented with prismatic views of the Mt. Kanchen­junga. Surrounded by lush and evergreen pine forests and exotic gardens, the Sumendu Lake is the main attraction of Mirik. Morni, Haryana The sole hill station of Haryana, Morni is a village on the Morni Hills and is popular with tourists. The attractions here include the Bhim Taal and Draupadi Taal lakes, Morni Fort Museum, Garhi Kotaha Fort, Masoompur Fort, a waterfall, a pheasant breeding centre, herbal forest and the ruins of an ancient temple. Morni lies about 45 km from Chandigarh and 35 km from Panchkula. Mahendragiri, Odisha One of the seven famous Kulagiris in India, Mahendragiri is the second highest peak of Odisha and located 51 km from Berhamp­ore. It is mentioned in the poetry of Kalidasa. It is mainly visited during the Shivaratri festival. Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh Mashobra is a quaint little town connected to Shimla via Hindu­stan-Tibet Road, the historic road built by Lord Dalhousie way back in 1850. Not frequented by tourists often, this place is apt for a relaxing holiday. Thickly wooded with oak, rhododendron, Himalayan deodar and cedar trees, Mashobra is ideal for a crea­tive break for artists. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand A beautiful hill station at an elevation of 2,298m, Munsiyari is extremely popular with adventure-seekers. Deeply forested with rhododendron, cedar and deodar trees, this place offers beautiful views of snow-capped Himalayan ranges. It is a starting point of many treks including the popular trek to Namik Glacier. N Nainital, Uttarakhand A Himalayan resort town, Nainital as a hill station needs no introduction to tourists. Resting at an elevation of 2,084m in the Kumaon region, the town of Nainital is tucked within hills and mountains. Among the tourist destinations here, the Nainital Lake is a popular boating destination. For those willing to have a view of the town from above and of the Nanda Devi Peak, there is a cable car option. Nelong Valley, Uttarakhand Nelong Valley lies in the Gangotri National Park and was historically part of Indo-Tibet trade route. It presents a desert landscape like that in Ladakh. The unexploited natural beauty here makes it a destination to visit. However night stay here is not permitted and permission of the DM’s office in Uttarkashi is required even for visiting. But once here, one realises that the place is worth all these extra efforts. Netarhat, Jharkhand Set at an elevation of 1,070m, Netarhat town in the Latehar district of Jharkhand is known for its sunrise and sunset views. It is the highest point of Chhotanagpur Plateau and is also called the ‘Queen of Chhotanagpur’. A day trip from Ranchi is the best way to enjoy the place. The hill station brings respite to the state that is otherwise depried of mountains. O Ooty, Tamil Nadu The scenic beauty of Ooty makes it one of the most celebrated hill stations of South India. Nestled deep within the Nilgiri Hills, this quaint hill station has been traditionally a delight for the honeymooners, family holidayers and nature lovers alike. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage can be experienced here as Ooty is one of the stations it connects. Tea, coffee and cardamom plantations, botanical gardens and parks make it a must visit destination. P Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh This hill station is often called ‘The Queen of Satpura’ and happens to be the only hill station of the state. Located at an elevation of 1,100m, this hilly retreat is popular for its scenic beauty, picture-perfect outlook and the tranquil ambience. Shar­ing history with the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Pachmarhi offers many tourist attractions like Dhurgarh, Sunset Point, Sangam, Silver Falls and several caves. Pelling, Sikkim Located about 2,100 metres above sea level, Pelling is a perfect amalgamation of natural beauty and spirituality. It offers the most stunning views of the Himalayas and Mt Kanchenjunga. The Pemayangste and Sanga Choling monasteries are the high­lights of the hill station as is Pelling’s scenic beauty, its waterfalls, the Khecheopalri Lake and its historical architecture. Pelling, being the base camp for a number of interesting trekking routes, is popular with mountaineers. Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir Another hill station that needs no introduction, Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,740m. Be it honeymooners, pilgrims, family holidayers or friends, Pahalgam is a top destination for all. There is a mountain trail running from here to the Amarnath Cave temple. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Ponmudi, Kerala Ponmudi is nestled at an elevation of 1,100m and is home to acres of tea gardens, national parks and rivers. The quaint hill station offers excellent views of dramatic sunrise from the hill tops. Tea gardens, crystal clear waters of the Kallar River and fresh water springs are its biggest attractions. There is also a deer park, a wild­life sanctuary and a biological park here. Ponmudi is a shutterbug’s paradise. Peora, Uttarakhand A quiet hamlet in the lap of Kumaon region of the Himalayas, Peora is a birdwatchers’ paradise near Nainital. The elevation of the place is 1,997m. It is surrounded by sal, pine, oak, kaphal and rhododendron trees. It is possible to taste locally grown apple, plum, peach or apricot. Pangi, Himachal Pradesh This is one of the remotest places in this list. In the Chamba tehsil of HP exist this hidden beauty where reaching is a challenge itself. But once there, one realises that it was worth all the pain. The lush green Pangi valley, having an elevation up to 3,400m, is as unex­plored as it can be. The place has a unique fragrance due to some rare Ayurvedic herbs and plants. One can trek from here to the Sach Pass (4,400m). But it must be remembered that Pangi Valley is only for the brave-heart and physically fit people. Palampur, Himachal Pradesh Located in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Palampur is embraced by gazing peaks, tea plantations, striking pine forests and other natural marvels. While the Dhauladhar Mountains at the back of Palampur offers a picture-perfect background, the narrow yet intriguing terrains leading to the town makes it more enchant­ing and a must-visit hill station. Pabbar Valley, Himachal Pradesh About 131 km-drive from Shimla is Rohru in the Pabbar Val­ley, which marks the beginning of an unforgettable experience for visitors. Lush green valley with meadows, forests and apple orchards greet you. The valley is also rich in trout fish giving visi­tors ample opportunity to go fishing and angling. Trekkers also have the option of trekking to Chanshal Pass and Kuper Valley. Apart from Rohru, two other important places to see in Pabbar are Hatkoti and Jubbal. Reaching Pabbar Valley from Shimla by private or public transport is easy. Panchgani, Maharastra For those who want to witness and experience how flourishing the colour green can be, Panchgani is a must visit. Discovered during the British era, this tranquil hill station is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra and is guarded by five different hills. The place has an elevation of 1,293m and is replete with tourist attraction in the form of ancient forts and viewpoints. R Ranikhet, Uttarakhand At Ranikhet one gets mesmerised by the breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas. Surrounded by lush green woods, fields and hills, with meandering roads, Ranikhet is a sheer delight. The place also offers some activities for adventure-lovers. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar Airport and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam. Raithal, Uttarakhand A small village in the Garhwal Himalayas, Raithal gives you the much needed laid back atmosphere to enjoy a relaxed holiday. Take a stroll, enjoy the breeze, bask under the sun, gaze at the picturesque mountains and lush forests and live in the mud houses with carvings and designs – that’s all you do here. If you want more activity, trek to the gorgeous Dayara Bugyal. From Uttarkashi one can take a cab to Raithal unless you are driving yourself from Chandigarh or Delhi. S Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is often referred as the ‘Kashmiri Venice’. One of the most romantic destinations in India, the mystical outlook of this place entices the visitors with its charm and beauty. Visit this piece of paradise and witness the mesmerising beauty of the Dal Lake and enjoy a Shikara rides to several gardens within the lake. Stay in a House­boat for a unique experience. Shillong, Meghalaya Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is a true paradise to say the least. Popularly known as the ‘Scotland of the East’, it is a must-visit hill station in north eastern part of India. Rolling hills, salubrious ambience, alluring waterfalls, scenic beauty, beautiful lakes, a sprawling park, cool temperature, sumptuous food and cheerful people add to the heavenly beauty of the place. Shimoga, Karnataka With an elevation of only 569m, this hill station is the gateway to the Western Ghats and is hence called ‘Gateway of Malnad’. The place is replete with waterfalls and the Jog Falls is worth special mention. Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh Sirmaur district that lies at a distance of approx 150 km from popular hill station of North India, Shimla, boasts being the Peach Bowl for the state. There are many temples to visit here. It is also a great trekking destination and the Churdhar Peak trek is a popular activity for the adventure-minded. Sirmaur can be reached by cab from Chandigarh and Shimla by public or private transport. Sanasar, Jammu and Kashmir An off the beaten path destination in the Jammu region, 20 km from the famous hill station of Patnitop, Sanasar is an unexploit­ed hill station. This place has vast expanse of meadow which takes you to tiny settlements with mud houses, farms, and streams. The locals are very welcoming. One can reach Sanasar from Jammu City. Sani Village, Jammu and Kashmir It is a village in the Zanskar Valley, located a few kilometres from Padum at an elevation of 3,700m. Time here seems to have come to a standstill. Visitors can stay in the houses of locals at a minimal cost and have local meals and locally brewed Chang (rice beer) as a gesture of hospitality. Local festivals and the Sani monastery are tourist attractions. To reach here cabs are avail­able from Kargil and Leh. Saputara, Gujarat Located at an altitude of 1,000m atop a plateau, Saputara is a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghats. Lush green forests, mountains, cascading waterfalls and serpentine roads makes it a dreamy destination. Over the last few years, it has emerged as an ideal tourist spot offering various fun and exciting activi­ties like boating, ropeway rides and several others. The nearest airport is at Surat and the nearest train station is at Bilimora. Sonmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Sonmarg or the ‘Meadow of Gold’ is one of the most mag­nificent hill stations in Kashmir at an elevation of 2,800m. The place is full of enticing glaciers and picture perfect alpine forests. It is a favourite ground for Golden Mahseer and Trout fishing. But entry to Sonmarg remains restricted in the winters due to excessive snowfall. The nearest airport is at Srinagar. Sandakphu, West Bengal Set at an elevation of about 3,700 meters above the sea level, Sandakphu is located 650 kms from the state capital of Kolkata. This destination is mainly popular with trekkers, mountaineers and ski enthusiasts. Being the highest point in the entire state, the place also provides view of four of the highest peaks of the world being the Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Lhotse. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is indeed one of the most sought-after hill stations in India. Once the summer capital of India, it now serves as one of the main tourist destinations of the country. Be it the winters or the summers, Shimla always offers a pleasant climate and ample of sightseeing options to its visitors and other amazing activities like skiing, trekking and paragliding in the region. Samsing, West Bengal With an elevation of 920m above the sea level, Samsing is located not on a very high hill, but it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful hill stations of the state and is situated in the sought after Dooars area of the state, 640 kms from Kolkata. Lush green landscape, tea gardens and foggy weather makes it a dream getaway for city dwellers. The Neora Valley National Park is only 18 kms from here. T Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh A leisurely road trip away from Delhi, this valley is known to be one of the most picturesque places in Himachal Pradesh. The Valley is located in the Kullu District and makes for the quintes­sential hill station getaway to connect with yourself and dear ones. Choose to live amidst nature at its rawest. This is where you do bonfires as you huddle up when the temperatures drop. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh For the adventure enthusiast, Tawang promises to be a great site for paragliding, rock-climbing and trekking. Resting at a height of approximately 3,048 m (10,000 ft), Tawang is right in the middle of Bhutan and Tibet. It beautifully captures a mix of Buddhist and north eastern culture. It is one of most popular hill stations of the north eastern part of the country. The main attraction here is the Tawang monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery in the world outside of Lhasa. Apart from it there are stunning views of Tawang Valley, Tawang Chu River, Gudpi and Chong-Chugmi ranges besides glacial lakes such as Sangetser and Banggachang Lake, which remain frozen during winters. Visitors to this quiet hill station can keep themselves busy rock climbing, paragliding and river rafting. Tawang can be reached by either road or flying down to the nearest airport which is Salonibari Airport. One must get a government-issued special Inner Line Permit to enter the district, from Tezpur, New Delhi, Kolkata or Guwahati. The best time to visit is during the summer months between March and October. Turtuk, Jammu & Kashmir Turtuk is a border village in Leh district that was annexed to India post 1971 Indo-Pak War. However, the place remained closed for visitors until 2010. The surreal destination is situated on the bank of the Shyok River and is surrounded by moun­tains of Karakoram Range. All around there are barley fields and stone houses. Turtuk is perfect for those who desire to see ancient Tibetan and Indo-Aryan cultures. Turtuk is a part of Nubra Valley and can be reached by hiring a car from Leh which is around 204 km away. Thekaddy, Kerala Considered as the best hill station town God’s Own Country, Thekkady is the home to the renowned Periyar National Park. In addition to the natural beauty of Thekkady, visitors love to delve into the wilderness of the park and witness some of the rare and exotic wildlife species. Taptapani, Odisha With an elevation of 550m, Taptapani is a hill station in the Ganjam district that is known for its sulphur water springs. The place is surrounded by a cluster of hills and thick forests. How­ever, people mainly come here for the hot water springs. U Udumbanchola, Kerala This lesser known hill station is located in the Idukki district of Kerala and some hills here have an elevation of 2,000m. One of the latest discoveries brought this place to news. In the Potha­mala hills here historians recently discovered the largest menhirs found in the region, indicating the existence of a prehistoric graveyard here. Umrangso, Assam Located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam it is an industrial town. The elevation is 640m. This area has been known for violence and hence sees very less tourist. Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Located on the bank of River Bhaghirathi at an elevation of 1,158m, it is a holy town close to Rishikesh. It has a number of temples and because of its similarity with Kashi (Varanasi) it has been named as Uttarkashi. V Virajpet, Karnataka Nestled at an elevation of 909m, this hill station was founded in 1792AD by King Virarajendra to commemorate his meeting with General Robert Abercromby, his ally against Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore. Verinag, Jammu & Kashmir Located in the Anantnag district at an altitude of 1,851m, Verinag is the first tourist spot one comes across while travel­ling from Jammu to Kashmir Valley and is often referred to as the Gateway of Kashmir. The most important attractions here are the Verinag Spring and the Mughal Garden laid down by Mughal Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Valparai, Tamil Nadu Located 3,500ft above the sea level and lying gracefully in the lap of the Anamalai Mountain Range, Valaparai is the vicinity where the stunning waterfalls, lush meadows and scenic valleys whispers liveliness into the visitors. Comprising of 40 hairpin bends, the journey to this spectacular hill station in Tamil Nadu is filled with thrill and excitement. W Waichin Valley, Himachal Pradesh Unperturbed by the chaos of the other tourist places in Himachal Pradesh, Waichin hides itself in thick woods and lofty mountains. One can get here after a steep ascent that can make one’s legs go weak and breath heavy for 2 hours that it takes from Malana Village. But once one reaches here, all the pain is compensated by sheer magic, i.e. gigantic mountains that one seems to be able to touch, the velvety meadow that one can walk bare feet on, and the crisp air that fills one’s senses with positivity. Waichin is a place to reconnect with nature and self. Y Yercaud, Tamil Nadu A small hill station with an elevation of 1,515m, Yercaud is known as the ‘Jewel of the South’. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched and unchanged by humans thus making for a paradisiacal destination for a peaceful vacation away from the chaotic city life. The region’s heavenly beauty, pleasant climate, exquisite range of flora and fauna, beautiful resorts, the tem­ples, small forested areas, the rock formations and the gardens – all make it a mesmerizing experience. Yusmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Located around 47km from Srinagar at an altitude of 2,396m, Yusmarg is a captivating hilly retreat. Legends have it that Jesus Christ once visited the place and so it is also called the ‘Meadow of Jesus’ by the locals. While snow clad peaks, picturesque outlook and fascinating sights of Yusmarg can keep the visitors engrossed, its option for different adventure activities also fulfil the requirement of thrill and excitement among the visitors. Yumesamdong, Sikkim Situated at an elevation of 15,300 ft, this is the last point of motorable road and after this point no motor vehicles can go. This is therefore called the Zero Point. The Chinese Border is very close from here. Yuksom, Sikkim This place is located at an elevation of 1,780m. It was the first capital of Sikkim established way back in 1642 AD by the then Namgyal of Chogyal of Sikkim. Also known as the ‘Gateway to Kangchendzongha’, Yuksom presents picturesque views of snow-capped mountain peaks. There are a number of monaster­ies here. A major attraction here is the Royal Complex of Tashi Teenka. Yamunotri, Uttarakhand Mythologically the seat of Goddess Yamuna and the source of the Yamuna River, Yamunotri sits at an elevation of 3,293m in the Garhwal Himalayas. This is a holy place for Hindu pilgrims who throng here all year long. Yamunotri is also popular for its thermal springs and glaciers. Z Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh In a region that is blessed with one of the most bewitching natu­ral landscapes in the country, Ziro is the highest point. Located in the Lower Subansiri district, Ziro is home to the ancient Apatani tribe, which is known for its unique cultural values, agricultural and social forestry system. Facial tattoos and nose plugs that the elderly locals sport gives the place a mystical feel, delineating the rich cultural heritage that it has been carrying till now. Beautiful pine hills and rice fields characterise Ziro. The hills here are cov­ered with a variety of flora and fauna. Peppered with beautiful rice fields, this place has a laid back vibe that turns musical and hippy during September when Ziro Music Festival is organised, an event that is attended by thousands of music lovers from around the world. Ziro is also a hub for trekkers and picnic lov­ers. It is awaiting its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

When we speak of a tower, what pops up in our mind immediately? - A tall and slender structure, with a height more than its width, often characterised by different aspects of history. But why are tourists attracted to towers? Why do towers hold such an importance in the advent of tourism? It is important to research a bit on this to know the answer. Towers were first built by man in pre­historic times, to provide a wide field of view or just for beautification. Later civi­lizations built watchtowers in the form of fortifications as a high, safe ground from where a guard could observe the surroundings. In the entire Anno Domini era, all sorts of towers have been built which includes bell towers, clock towers, service towers, communication towers and minarets. These diverse backgrounds of towers are what gives tourists a unique point of view about them. One can visit a tower to marvel at the beauti­ful construction and the history behind it, or at the height and the view that makes us all feel giddy. Towers have also played a significant role in fairytales and classics... like the tall tower without doors or stairs where Rapunzel was trapped, or the clock tower that struck midnight in Cinderella’s tale, or in the bell tower that was home to Quasimodo in ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. To grown-ups, this gives an added fancy for towers and they visit places looking for them. Given the importance of towers in tourism, I thought of listing the most important ones for the readers of Touriosity. Here is a list of the most important towers across the globe that are popular tourist attractions and that must be visited at least once in a lifetime: Obelisk of Axum, Aksum, Ethiopia The Obelisk of Axum, located in Axum (now called Aksum), Ethiopia was built in the 4th-century AD (making it 1700 years old) by King Ezana of Axum in an attempt to solidify the kingdom’s conversion to Christianity. It is a 24-metre-tall (79-feet) granite stele / ob­elisk, weighing 160 tonnes. This obelisk was damaged by an earthquake most likely in the 16th century, and was left there in ruins for hundreds of years. Finally, it was re-discovered by Italian soldiers in 1935 during a conquest of Ethiopia. The 160 tonne stele was taken back to Rome as loot, where it was reassembled. But after World War II the United Nations directed that the obelisk must be returned to its original owner Ethiopia, which led to a lot of complica­tions. After years of conflict and procedural delays, the stele was finally returned to its rightful location in Ethiopia, where it stands till today. Some people believe that the obelisk is a funeral monument and that the tombs of ancient rulers of Axum lay beneath it. Although technically not really a tower, the Obelisk of Axum because of its sheer histor­ical significance and structural magnificence deserves to be included in this list. Galata tower, Istanbul, Turkey The Galata Tower (locally known as Galata Kulesi in Turkish language), earlier called Christea Turris (the Tower of Christ in Latin) by the Genoese people when Istanbul was a colony of Genoa, is a medieval stone tower in the Galata or the Karaköy quarter of Istanbul in Turkey, and is strategically located to the north of the meeting point of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait. The structure of the tower is cylindri­cal, with a conical cap, and because of its height (66.9 metre / 219.5 feet) it provides a panoramic view of Istanbul’s historic peninsula and its sceneries. This original Romanesque-style tower at this location was built in 1348 AD dur­ing an expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. The tower was heav­ily damaged due to an earthquake that occurred in 1509 AD, but luckily, could be restored by the famous Ottoman architect, Hayreddin. The Galata Tower, that was initially built to replace the old Tower of Galata, an original Byzantine tower named Megalos Pyrgos (Great Tower), was used as a prison and a fire tower during the Ottoman era under the reign of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent. The tower was again destroyed, this time by a fire, in 1794 AD but it was restored during the reign of Sultan Selim III, when a cumba (alcove) was also added to the beauty of the tower. After the destruction caused by yet another fire in 1831 AD, the tower was restored once more, along with the addition of two more floors and a conical-shaped tip, under the orders of Sultan Mahmut. Historically, the tower has been quite signifi­cant and has been destroyed again and again and rebuilt each time with further modifica­tions that went on increasing its beauty. Today, the Galata tower serves as an important touristic attraction of the city of Istanbul, and provides a 360-degree view of the city from the balcony. An elevator is built to take visitors up seven floors, but the last two floors are only accessible through stairs. Svan Towers, Svaneti, Georgia Svan towers are the tower houses built as defensive dwellings, mostly found in the Georgian historical region of Svaneti. These tower houses are today found in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in Georgia. The oldest tower houses date back to the 8th or 9th century, and the newest was built in the 18th century. A Svan tower has an average height of 20 to 25 meters and has four to six floors, the latter being very rare. The towers were living quarters, fortresses of defense, and personal treasures to the Svans, a sub-group of ethnic Georgians who practiced blood revenge, spoke their own Svan language and were the traditional gatekeepers of mountain passes. It is interesting to note that each indi­vidual house in Svaneti region was fortified separately as a result of dwellings being too scattered to have a boundary wall surround­ing them all. This has definitely resulted in one of the most unique tourist attractions in the country now. The Towers of Bologna, Bologna, Italy The Towers of Bologna are a group of towers in Bologna, Italy built during the Medieval Age. The two most prominent ones are known as the Two Towers, consisting of the 320-foot Asinelli Tower and the much shorter Garisenda Tower, both of which are leaning. Their names are believed to be derived from the families credited with their construction, which began as a competition to prove which family was more powerful. In the 12th and the 13th century, the number of towers in the city was esti­mated to be as high as 180; the reasons for their construction are still not very clear though. Some hypothesises are that the richest families used them for offensive / defensive purposes during the period of the Investiture Controversy or as a symbol of wealth and status, as well as for defensive purposes to guard their land. Some of the smaller structures were also built as dwellings. During the 13th century, many towers were taken down and demolished, and few others simply collapsed on their own. Many towers were utilized in one way or the other either as a prison, a city tower, a shop or a residential building. Minaret of Jam, Shahrak, Afghanistan This minaret is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the present day western Afghanistan in the remote region of the Shahrak District, Ghor Province in close vicinity of the Hari River. The minaret is 65-metre (213 ft) high, and was built in 1194 AD by the Ghurid Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din in the ancient city of Firuzkuh, the summer capital of the Ghurid dynasty. It is constructed of baked bricks, stucco and glazed tile and is famous for its exterior of Kufic and Naskhi calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Quran. Since 2002, the minaret has been on the list of World Heritage in Danger, under serious threat of erosion, and its preservation has not been acted on. According to reports of the BBC in 2014, it may collapse. Belém Tower, Lisbon, Portugal The Belém Tower is located in Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. The tower was built by Francisco de Arruda under the orders of King John II between 1514 and 1520 AD as a defence system and a gateway to the city of Lisbon near the Tagus River. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 because of its important role in the Portuguese maritime discoveries during the Age of Discoveries. The tower contains an exotic rhinoceros gargoyle which probably depicts the rhi­noceros that Manuel I (the second patron for the construction of this tower) sent to Pope Leo X in 1515 AD. The Towers of San Gimignano, San Gimignano, Italy San Gimignano is a small hill town in Siena Province, Tuscany in north-central Italy. It is situated 56 kilometers south of the city of Florence. It is said that this small town became quickly rich due to the arrival of pilgrims to or from Rome and each household craved to have a palace of their own, but due to the small size of the town, the citizens settled for towers instead. Thus, these families began com­peting against each other for who could build a higher and more impressive tower to show their wealth and power. Accord­ing to the residents, at the peak of tower building, the number of towers almost reached 72 (some of them as high as 50 meters). As of now, only 14 of them remain. The town was devastated by a breakout of Plague (also known as Black Death, Black Plague or Great Plague) in 1348 AD when almost half of the townsfolk died and those surviving submitted to the rule of Florence. The latter did not pay great importance to the towers and even reduced a few to the height of houses. In course of time these were lost. The towers were rediscovered as important touristic and artistic sites in the 19th century. Now, the towers of San Gimignano have been labelled a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire town presents a Medieval look and must be visited for its sheer charm. CN Tower, Toronto, Canada The CN Tower, also known as Tour CN in French, is a communication and observati tower located in Downtown Toronto, On­tario in Canada. It is 553.3 metre (1,815.3 ft) high and weighs 117,910 tonnes. Its construction began in 1972 on the former Railway Lands, and was completed in mid 1976. It is interesting to note that the name ‘CN’ is derived from the words ‘Canadian National’, the railway company that built the tower. The CN Tower is a perfect location for tourists who know how to spend their time while visiting the city of Toronto. It consists of floor-to-ceiling panoramic window walls, glass floors and an out­door sky terrace. One must experience the thrilling EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, which holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Highest Outdoor Walk on a building. Canadian cuisine and breathtaking revolving views at ‘360 The Restaurant’, a restaurant at the CN Tower is unmissable. It is the perfect place to entertain or celebrate a special occasion. The splendid lighting of the tower from dusk onwards intrigues tourists even more. Big Ben, London, United Kingdom Big Ben was originally the pet name given to the Great Bell of the clock at the Palace of Westminster in London but nowadays it refers to both the clock and the clock tower. The origin of the bell’s nickname is still not certain; it may have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or after the heavy­weight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. The tower in which Big Ben is located was originally named the Clock Tower and as St. Stephen’s Tower in the Victorian Era, but then the name was changed to Elizabeth Tower in the year 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth II. The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-gothic style. After its completion in 1859 AD, its clock became the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower is 315 feet (96 m) tall, and its base is square, measuring 39 feet (12 m) on each side. It also had the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years. Qutub Minar, Delhi, India The Qutub Minar, located in Delhi, India is a 73 metre (239.5 feet) tall narrowed tow­er of five storeys, with a 14.3 metres (47 feet) diameter at the base, that slowly reduces to 2.7 metres (9 feet) towards the top. It contains a spiral staircase of 379 steps and is built of red and yellow sandstone and marble. The construction of Qutub Minar was started in 1192 AD by the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak and later continued by his son-in-law and successor, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish after the former’s death. The Minar was damaged during several occasions, and repaired and supplemented by the rulers of the subsequent dynasties ruling over Delhi, including Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Sher Shah Suri. The Qutub Minar stands till today, in its utmost glory, and attracts tourists from around the globe. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has footfall of tourists from all over the world in millions every year. One can also see the incom­plete Alai Minar at the Qutub Minar complex that was started off ambitiously as a tower that would surpass the Qutub Minar in height by two times. Started by Ala-ud-din Khalji of the Khalji Dynasty to commemorate military victories, only one storey of this massive tower could be completed and today it lies in ruins at the complex. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy One of the most famous towers in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower located in the cathedral of Pisa, Italy. It is known world­wide for its tilted form and the tower has its name enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records for the same feat. The construction of this tower began on 14th August 1173 and continued for as many as 199 years as a result of military on-goings. The tower’s tilt began during its construction in the 12th century, and was said to have been caused by a fault in its foundation as the ground on one side was too soft to support the struc­ture’s weight. The slant increased with time before its completion in the 14th century. In 1990 the tower was found to be leaning at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but correction work between 1993 and 2001 reduced this to 3.97 degrees. It lost a further 4 cm of tilt till 2018. The height of the tower is 55.86 metres (183.27 feet) from the ground on the low side and 56.67 metres (185.93 feet) on the high side. While Bonanno Pisano was originally believed to be the architect, some recent studies have raised doubt about that resulting in the fact that till today, the architect of this magnificent tower is unknown. The tower has 296 steps (two less on the lower side) and eight storeys in total. It is located in the cathedral complex in Pisa, which is 87 kilometers from the city of Flor­ence and 350 kilometers from Rome. The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France The Eiffel tower, also known as La tour Eiffel in French, is a lattice tower constructed of wrought iron. Located in Chemps de Mars area in Paris, France, this tower is also often called, ‘The Iron Lady’ or ‘La Dame De Fer’ in French by the locals. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, whose company had built the tower. The tower was constructed from 1887 to 1889 AD and was meant to be the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, and a temporary structure. There were other buildings constructed around it as well. When constructed, the artists and intellectuals criticised it as lacking in beauty and the French government even decided to pull it down after the fair was over. However it was allowed to remain, only to become the most visited paid tower in the world. It is not only the symbol of the city of Paris, but also of the country of France. It attracts millions of tourists from across the world every year. There are three levels of viewing platforms in the tower where visitors can climb using el­evators. One has to buy tickets for the same. The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres (1,063 feet) tall, making it equivalent to the height of an 81-storey building, and it holds the record for being the tallest freestanding structure in all of France. The 130-years old tower still stands in all grace and glory in the French capital city. At night it is beautifully lit with millions of small bulbs that makes it look like coming straight out of fairy tales. Three Pagodas, Dali, China These three pagodas were built in the early part of 9th century (during the rule of Kingdom of Nanzhao) and the 10th century (during the rule of the KIngdom of Dali) AD by Chinese rulers and are situated near the city of Dali at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains and on the shore of Erhai Lake. The three pagodas belong to the Chongsheng Temple; these are equidistant from one another and are arranged in such a manner as to form an equilateral triangle. The middle one has a height of about 70 meters (227 ft) and the other two have a height of about 42.2 metres (140 ft). While most buildings in the ancient town of Dali in the Yunnan region were destroyed over the centuries for some reason or the other, these pagodas have withstood natu­ral calamities for over a millennia. Originally built to keep the dragons away, these pago­das still attract tourists to them today. Article by Tannistha Nandi

Forest getaways are preferred by most of us. While travelling to a forest area, we generally expect to see a lot of trees, wildlife and birds, sometimes water bodies too. But there are forests in the world that are very different form this general perception. Here are 8 most unique forests of the world Bamboo Forest in Maui’s Pipiwai Trail, Hawaii , US If you are looking for a tropical holiday destination, where Nature unfurls herself in all her glory, the best place for you is definitely Maui in Hawaii. It is a place where the visitor is greeted by spectacular natural sceneries all around. Nature seems to have poured her heart out at Maui – often lovingly referred to by the visitors as “The Magic Isle”. Every visitor to Maui can have his or her own reason to fall in love with Maui. Among its varied attractions is the Bamboo Forest, which, to put it simply, is awesome, spectacular and marvellous. To get to the Bamboo Forest one has to hike for about a mile. However, once there, one is sure to realize why the visitors are left spellbound. As far as vision goes, there are these thick, dense groupings of bamboo stalks. Looking up, one can see innumerable bamboo stalks, towering high towards the heaven whispering and dancing in the breeze. Being in the midst of the bamboo forest, where the grasses are extremely tall, a feeling is likely to creep in that you are just a tiny ant in the midst of these enormously tall grass blades. The Dancing Forest, Kaliningrad, Russia If you happen to be in the vicinity of Kaliningrad in the Baltic Sea area, then be prepared to witness and have close encounters with a unique natural phenomenon in our planet – the Dancing Forest at the Curonion Spit National Park. The local people here rather like to call it the Drunken Forest. It is a rare kind of pine forest made up of trees of various shapes and sizes, most of which are bent in circles and spirals along the ground, reminding one of dance movements. If examined at close quarters, one will notice that almost every tree has got its own distinct shape. Unlike the case with Japanese Bonsais the trees here have not been forced to alter their shapes and sizes. It is a pure natural occurrence; a wonder weaved by Mother Nature. The unusual characteristics of this one-of-its-kind and unique forest has been generating considerable amount of interest among the people engaged in scientific studies and research. Many curious people make a beeline to Kaliningrad to try and unravel the mysteries behind the queer phenomenon. And the theories forwarded by various groups of people multiply with time, so does the curiosity about the Dancing forest. The Crooked Forest, Poland In the north western part of Poland lies a pine forest, another one-of-its-kind forest. The Crooked Forest consists of a grove of peculiarly shaped pine trees that have grown with a bent of ninety degrees at the base of the trunks. What is also unique is that somehow all the trees are uniformly bent northward. This group of about 400 crooked trees are surrounded by a much larger forest of straight growing pine trees. It is believed that the crooked trees were planted around 1930 when this Polish region was under German occupation and the area was a part of the German province of Pomerania. The bent shape of these 400 trees is believed not to be a natural phenomenon, but the result of direct human intervention. The exact motive, as to why anybody would want to give bent shapes to otherwise normal and straight growing palm trees, remains an eternal mystery. Many have conjectured that in all probability, these crooked trees were harvested with the idea of providing tools for bent wood furniture, the ribs of boat hulls, yokes for horse drawn ploughs and so on. But these are mere speculations. The exact reason still remains shrouded in mystery. Petrified Forest Nati onal Park, Arizona, Us The Petrified Forest National Park in the USA is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Over 400 varieties of plants can be found, the various grass varieties being the most conspicuous. The Fauna include a variety of large and small animals. Apart from the flora and fauna the forest area also harbours over 200 varieties of avifauna, some of which are local, and some of which are migratory. More than half of the park is designated wilderness. These apart an interesting factor about the forest is that it contains 225 million-year-old fossilized remains of dinosaurs, amphibians and large reptiles. The area was originally a floodplain, and the forests were washed into it and engulfed by volcanic ash and tilt, which slowed down the decaying process. This extraordinary forest has generated considerable amount of interest among various scientists. The Rainbow Forest Museum has a splendid collection of fossils, including dinosaurs, from the Triassic era, and all through the area there are amazing examples of rock art, carved by early inhabitants, depicting birds, reptiles, animals and even human forms. In fact research indicates a human presence here for about two thousand years. Fossil Forest, West Lulw orth , Dorset, England Those who wonder about conditions prevailing in earth in Upper Jurassic period should head straight for the Fossil Forest located to the east of Lulworth Cove on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The remains of an ancient forest of the Jurassic period here provide intriguing understanding into the conditions prevalent about 135 million years ago. The trees here belonged to late Jurassic or early Cretaceous period and are of cypress or juniper type. It lies on Jurassic Coast on a wide ledge in the cliff by the seaside and is within Lulworth Military Range and thus has limited access. Portions of it can also be seen on Isle of Portland and in quarries near Weymouth. On the ledge one finds some ring-shaped structures, believed to be moulds of coniferous trees that died because of encasement in sediment. At the time of death, the trees stood upright and as a result, vertical moulds formed. Few fallen trees around have resulted in horizontal moulds. It is believed that at the end of the Jurassic period, when sea level came down, a number of islands encircled by lagoons were formed here. In course of time a tropical forest grew. When the lagoon flooded, the forest was filled with sediments resulting in today’s Fossil forest. The Stone Forest, Bulgaria The Stone Forest in Bulgaria is unique in the true sense of the word. It is a rare natural geological phenomenon not to be found anywhere else in the world. The forest is situated around 18 km inland from Varna in Bulgaria. The forest is easily accessible by road and can be chanced upon just off the main road to the capital of Sofia at the Pashovi area. It is also known as the “Pobiti Kamani”, which literally means the “hammered stones”, although it is often translated as the fossil forest or the stone forest. It brings to visitors a wondrous natural phenomenon. The area is full of trees made of stone, quite a remarkable thing! Exactly how these unique stone trees came into being is a matter still much debated. The first in-depth study of the Fossil Forest was commissioned in 1828 by the Russian General Dibich, who became fascinated with these stones and their potential origins. Whatever the case may be the fact remains that these trees are truly magnificent. A visit to this forest can be truly overwhelming. It will, without any doubt, provide a visitor with an “out of this world” experience. Grizedale Forest, England A popular tourist destination in England, Grizedale is managed by the Forestry Commission. Located in the Lake District of north-west England, near Hawkshead, the Forest area here is ideal for a day out with family. Perfectly way-marked footpaths and biking trails beckon tourists to go for long walks and bike rides which lead them to serene locations with majestic views across the fells. In fact, walking is the best way to explore the beautiful woodlands here which is spread over 2000 hecters. With spectacular views of lakes and mountains, shelter of the trees and the sculptures in the forests to explore, there will never be a dull moment during a walk. The area is a beautiful combination of pine forests and woodlands. During walks and bike trails, one should keep a look out for the outdoor sculptures, which Grizedale is famous for. It is reported that there are about sixty such sculptures all over the forest, spread all over the forest roads, bridleways and the way-marked trails. Those who are more adventurous, may opt for “Go Ape”, an award winning high wire forest adventure course of extreme rope bridges, Tarzan swings and Zip slides. Yellowwood State Forest, Us Brown County is Indiana’s largest state park and attracts about five million visitors annually. It is located amidst the picturesque hill surroundings of southern Indiana. The Brown County is also home to the Yellowwood State Forest which derives its name from the yellowwood, a tree which is not so randomly found in the U.S. The forest reserve established way back in the 1930s, has, over the years, been the focus of attention for an unsolved mystery. It all started a few years ago when a hunter scouting through the forest discovered a large boulder right at the top of an eighty feet tall chestnut oak tree. The boulder, about four feet wide and a foot thick, seemed to be trapped between the branches. The boulder was ultimately named Gobbler’s Rock, after the turkey hunter who discovered it. However, what is remarkable is that hikers have found more of these giant sandstone heavy boulders precariously lodged between the branches of trees here. Two such boulders which have been discovered recently seems to weigh around 200 pounds, one of the boulders is way up and nearly 45 feet off the ground. Among the locals, the boulders are popularly known as URBs (Unexplained Resting Boulders).